February 26th 2025.
The Indian Army's dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in aviation technology has brought Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi to the Airbus helicopter facility in Marignane, France. During his four-day visit, which began on February 24, Gen Dwivedi was given a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge aviation technology by the Airbus team.
In addition to his visit to the facility in Marseille, Gen Dwivedi also had fruitful discussions with his French counterpart, Gen Pierre Schill, in Paris on Monday. The Army Chief was briefed on a variety of topics, including defence systems and aerospace engineering, all of which are areas in which Airbus has made groundbreaking contributions.
This visit is a testament to the Indian Army's commitment to utilizing international aerospace innovations to enhance their operational capabilities and fortify their defence preparedness, particularly in the realm of rotary wing aviation. The Marignane facility, which is responsible for producing H125 helicopters, is a key player in this effort.
The H125 is an exceptional single-engine light utility helicopter that can be configured in a multitude of ways and is equipped with a variety of weapon systems. In January of last year, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Airbus Helicopters joined forces to establish a final assembly line for the H125 choppers in India. Currently, Airbus Helicopters is in the process of selecting potential locations in India to set up this assembly line.
The H125 is renowned as the world's top-selling single-engine helicopter. This versatile aircraft, which is part of Airbus' Ecureuil family, boasts an impressive record of over 40 million flight hours worldwide. In the next 20 years, Airbus Helicopters projects a demand for 500 H125 helicopters in India and South Asia.
The FAL in India will handle the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems, as well as the installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and engines. It will also be responsible for testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the surrounding region.
One of the H125's most notable features is its ability to operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments, making it suitable for a variety of missions such as aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue operations, air ambulance services, passenger transport, and more, according to Airbus. With this partnership, the Indian Army is poised to enhance their capabilities and further solidify their position as a strong and well-equipped defence force.
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