Airbus, Tata Sign Deal To Manufacture Helicopters Amid Macron's India Visit

Tata and Airbus have inked a pact to collaborate on helicopter production, solidifying their partnership with the establishment of a helicopter assembly line in India. The agreement was finalised during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India on Republic Day. 

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra disclosed that the two nations have also reached consensus on a defence-industrial roadmap and a defence space partnership. 

"The industrial collaboration between Tata and Airbus helicopters for the manufacturing of H125 helicopters, incorporating a significant indigenous and localised element..." explained the senior official. 

This venture adds to the existing agreements between Airbus and Tata. Tata Advanced Systems recently declared a deal to manufacture and supply components to Airbus for commercial jets, including the A320 and A350. Furthermore, Tata will assemble the Airbus C295 military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. 

Sources had previously hinted at an official announcement of the deal on 26 January, following Macron's participation in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

President Macron, accompanied by a delegation featuring Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, Safran SA CEO Olivier Andries, and the leaders of EDF SA and Dassault Aviation SA, touched down in Jaipur on 25 January. 

The bond between France and India has been steadily strengthening, with a 25-year plan focused on enhancing collaboration in defence, nuclear energy, and space. In the past year, Modi attended Bastille Day celebrations in France, unveiling plans to acquire three additional submarines from France's Naval Group and 26 marine Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation SA.