India and France elevate ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership and launch H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka

Key facts

• India and France upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting in Mumbai.
• The two leaders jointly inaugurated the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line of Tata Airbus in Vemagal, Karnataka.
• The H125 is claimed to be the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the height of Mount Everest and will be manufactured in India for domestic use and exports.
• The first Made-in-India H125 helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
• A total of 21 outcomes were announced covering defence, tech and innovation, startups, critical minerals, advanced materials, health and skilling.
• The facility will produce helicopters for civil and parapublic roles such as emergency medical services, law enforcement and passenger transport.
• Modi and Macron virtually launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.