In a strategic collaboration, European aviation giant Airbus and India's Tata Group have reached an agreement to jointly manufacture H125 single-engine helicopters for commercial use at a facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

This deal, set to be officially announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India for the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership, includes the joint production of at least 40 C-295 transport aircraft for defense purposes. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will oversee the assembly line operations in Gujarat.

Officials familiar with the development highlight the significant demand for single-engine helicopters in India, catering to various purposes such as high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), goods transportation, and medical emergencies.

The immediate interest from potential buyers indicates a demand for approximately 600-800 helicopters.

Airbus' H130 (formerly known as the EC130 T2) is widely utilized for sightseeing services, VIP duties, medical airlift, and surveillance missions in major tourist destinations and busy urban airspace.

The collaboration between Tata Group and Airbus extends beyond helicopters, as they are already involved in the joint manufacturing of C-295 transport aircraft, with TASL leading the final assembly line establishment in Vadodara as part of a Rs 21,935-crore deal announced a year ago.

The Tata-Airbus partnership has witnessed a series of announcements, including the Tata Group's historic plan to purchase 250 aircraft from Airbus for Air India, marking the world's largest aviation deal.