New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- Airbus on Wednesday announced that it will set up a production line for the H125 helicopters in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at Vemagal in Karnataka, the fourth such facility in the world and India's first helicopter final assembly line in the private sector. Karnataka was among the four states shortlisted by Airbus to build the single-engine helicopter in the country. "The 'Made in India' H125 helicopter will help develop new civil and para-public market segments and also meet the Indian armed forces' requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the icy heights of the country's Himalayan frontier. Plans include a military version, the H125M, to be offered out of this Indian factory with high levels of indigenised components and technologies," Airbus said. The first H125 is expected to roll out of the facility in early 2027, and the choppers built in India will be exported to south Asian countries too. "India is an ideal helicopter country. A 'Made in India' helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building," said Airbus India and South Asia president Jurgen Westermeier. The final assembly line (FAL) in India will initially produce 10 H125s a year, with production being ramped up as orders grow. Airbus has projected a demand for 500 light helicopters of the H125 class in the country and south Asia during the next 20 years. "Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL (the other being for C-295 aircraft) in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India..." TASL CEO Sukaran Singh said....