Mahindra Aerostructures Private Limited has signed a landmark agreement with Airbus Helicopters to manufacture and assemble the main fuselage of the H130 light single-engine helicopter. The deal was signed in New Delhi, with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam, Airbus India and South Asia President Rémi Maillard, and Mahindra Group CEO Dr. Anish Shah in attendance.
Under the agreement, Mahindra will carry out the entire fuselage assembly at its facilities in India. The completed structures will then be shipped to Airbus Helicopters’ final assembly lines in Europe. Production is set to begin immediately, with the first unit expected to be delivered by March 2027.
Dr. Anish Shah welcomed the contract as a sign of deeper collaboration with Airbus. “This agreement strengthens our long-term partnership and reflects our commitment to the Indian government’s Make in India initiative,” he said.
Airbus India’s President Rémi Maillard described the agreement as a milestone in the development of India’s aerospace sector. He noted the country’s growing industrial capabilities and emphasized India’s rising position as a competitive manufacturing hub for aerospace components.
The deal marks a major step forward for Mahindra Aerostructures, which is moving up the value chain from producing smaller parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus commercial aircraft to now building full fuselage sections for helicopters. For Airbus, the partnership deepens its ties with India, which is both a key market and a strategic sourcing base.
Airbus currently sources $1.4 billion worth of components and services from India each year. Indian-made parts are used in every Airbus commercial aircraft, reflecting the importance of India in the company’s global supply chain.
The H130 helicopter is designed for a wide range of uses, including passenger transport, tourism, emergency medical services, and surveillance. It features a large cabin that can seat up to seven passengers and a pilot. A wide wrap-around windscreen provides improved visibility, enhancing safety and passenger experience.
Mahindra Group, founded in 1945, employs 260,000 people in more than 100 countries. It is a global leader in farm equipment, utility vehicles, IT, and financial services. Mahindra is also the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume and has strong operations in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.
