Aviation

Airbus is building the first H125 helicopter assembly line in India with TATA.

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Airbus Helicopters has revealed that it is collaborating with the Tata Group to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the nation, which is a significant step toward promoting “Made in India.”

From its civil range, Airbus‘ best-selling H125 helicopter will be produced by the FAL for India and exported to some of the neighboring countries.

The Government of India’s “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) project will benefit greatly from the FAL, which will be the first private sector establishment of a helicopter manufacturing plant in India. As part of this agreement, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group company, will establish the facility.

The key component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, and engine integration will all be handled by the FAL in India. Additionally, it will test, qualify, and ship the H125 to clients in the vicinity of India. The first “Made in India” H125 deliveries are anticipated to start in 2026, and the FAL will take 24 months to set up. Airbus and the Tata Group will decide on the FAL’s site together.

Among single-engine helicopters, the H125 is the best-selling model globally, outperforming other helicopters in its class. This adaptable, high-performing helicopter is part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has flown at than 38 million hours globally. It is capable of functioning in extremely hot and humid conditions and is readily adaptable to a wide range of tasks, such as aerial operations, law enforcement, firefighting, rescue operations, air ambulance services, passenger transport, and many more.

The H125 is the only helicopter to have made a landing on Mount Everest, proving its adaptability in harsh, high-altitude conditions. By utilizing TASL’s aerospace and defense expertise, Airbus plans to create its second FAL in India, a helicopter manufacturing facility. The C295 military transport aircraft FAL is being constructed in Vadodara by the two businesses.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.