India
India and the European Union have formalized a working arrangement to enhance industrial aviation production, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation and the country’s “Make in India” initiative. The agreement, concluded in late March, will ensure that aviation manufacturing in India meets world-class EU safety standards while facilitating the assembly and export of Airbus H125 helicopters from Karnataka.
The move follows discussions at the India-EU Summit in January, where civil aviation safety was highlighted as a critical focus area. EU Ambassador Herve Delphin described the new arrangement as a concrete example of industrial collaboration that combines India’s growing manufacturing capabilities with the EU’s rigorous safety protocols and export certifications.
A cornerstone of this partnership is the final assembly line for the H125 single-engine helicopter, jointly established by Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited at Vemagal in Karnataka. Inaugurated in February, the facility is expected to deliver its first helicopters in 2027. The arrangement will enable India to manufacture and export these helicopters to global markets, strengthening its footprint in the international aviation industry.
The agreement was formalized between India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 23, preceding a high-level workshop held in New Delhi from March 24-26 under the EU-South Asia Aviation Partnership Project. The workshop, organised by EASA in cooperation with DGCA and supported by European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR, brought together aviation authorities, airlines, and industry stakeholders across the region. Discussions focused on practical collaboration, operational experience sharing, and strategies to enhance civil aviation safety standards.
The EU and South Asian partners reaffirmed their commitment to safe, resilient, and sustainable air transport. Workshop discussions addressed everyday flight operations and regional challenges, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue between regulators, operators, and industry to improve overall performance and safety.
This development aligns with the strategic joint agenda adopted by India and the EU in January, which aims to strengthen cooperation at scale and speed to serve mutual interests. Beyond industrial collaboration, the partnership underscores the EU’s broader commitment to working with India and South Asian nations to promote high aviation safety standards, support regulatory alignment, and foster sustainable growth in the sector.
Since 2004, India and the EU have maintained a strategic partnership built on shared values, a rules-based global order, and multilateral cooperation. This new working arrangement in aviation production further consolidates this relationship, combining technological expertise, regulatory oversight, and industrial capacity to drive long-term growth and innovation.
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