Helicopter inductions in India grew at a fast pace with over 30 deliveries in CY 2025. The number of helicopters registered under the non-scheduled category in the country increased from 213 to 225. While skeptics view the fast induction as a one-off, Airbus Helicopters says there is a clear growth trend marked by business opportunities and favourable government policies.
“It is a matter of fact that we are still in the early days of helicopter penetration in India. But make no mistake: the momentum is picking up now,” said Sunny Guglani, head of Airbus Helicopters India and South Asia.
“India’s helicopter density is currently among the lowest in the world. This also means that the sector holds immense potential in addressing transportation gaps, public service delivery, enhancing national security, improving disaster response and boosting tourism in the world’s fastest growing major economy,” Guglani added.
Last month Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French president Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the final assembly line of Airbus H-125 helicopters in Karnataka. The unit will have a capacity to deliver 10 helicopters annually and will serve domestic and South Asia markets. The first “Made in India” helicopter is expected to be delivered in 2027.
Asked if the final assembly line in Karnataka is viable without an order from defence forces, Guglani said Airbus market projection indicates a demand for more than 1,000 civil helicopters in India over the next two decades – with half of them single engine type.
“The H125, which is already the most popular helicopter in this region, is uniquely primed to dominate this emerging market. Additionally, the Indian armed forces alone project a requirement for hundreds of helicopters, while the civil sector is poised for growth from its current low base. For the armed forces specifically, the H125M can be a game-changer,” he said.
Original equipment manufacturers including Airbus, Bell Textron and Leonardo are vying for a potential contract from Indian armed forces to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. While Airbus has teamed up with Tata group, Leonardo has partnered Adani group to build the helicopters in India.
Guglani says the H125’s military variant has an edge over its competitors. “ The H125 is the only helicopter to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest. For the Indian military which operates in some of the most challenging hot and high environments in the world, this performance can be a critical differentiator,” he said.
Published on March 15, 2026