Airbus awards H130 helicopter fuselage contract to Mahindra Aerostructures

Pursuing its strategic commitments to "Make in India" and promoting the helicopter ecosystem in the country, Airbus Helicopters has awarded a contract to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. in India to manufacture the main fuselage assembly of the H130 helicopter.

Mahindra will produce the H130's main fuselage assembly, which will be shipped to Airbus Helicopters' facilities in Europe. Industrialization will commence immediately, with the first cabin assembly scheduled for delivery by March 2027.

"We have a strategic plan for India and we are implementing it to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, engineering, innovation, digital and training," said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director Airbus India and South Asia. "The H130 fuselage manufacturing contract underscores Airbus' confidence in the growing industrial excellence of the Indian supply chain, which offers the right mix of competencies and competitiveness. We are glad to extend this bond with India through our latest association with our partner Mahindra Aerostructures."

Mahindra already supplies various parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus' commercial aircraft programs. The latest contract marks a milestone for Mahindra as it continues to expand its portfolio of capabilities from parts and sub-assemblies to larger and more complex aerostructures.

Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft has components and technologies made in India. Airbus' annual procurement of components and services from India is US$1.4 billion. Airbus' efforts to mature the broader Indian aerospace ecosystem include building two Final Assembly Lines (FAL): one for the C295 military airlifter and the other for the H125 helicopter.

(article source: Airbus / editor: Anton van Rijsbergen)