India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for H125 helicopters at the Vemagal Industrial Area near Bengaluru on February 17, 2026.

The facility is India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant and is expected to initially produce 10 H125 helicopters annually for domestic use and export to neighbouring countries.

Production Plans and Timeline

The plant will start with 10 helicopters per year, with plans to scale up production to meet a projected demand of around 500 units over the next two decades.
The first “Made in India” H125 helicopter is expected to roll out by early 2027.

About the H125 Helicopter

The H125 is a single-engine helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters, known globally for its exceptional “hot and high” performance and record landing on Mount Everest.
It is widely used for civil missions, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and tourism operations.

Future Defence Plans

Plans are also underway to manufacture the H125M, the military variant of the helicopter, at the same facility to support the needs of the Indian Armed Forces.