Tata-Airbus helicopter facility shining example of partnership Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the investment into H-125 helicopter programme is "anticipated" to cross Rs 1000 crore, and create a number of jobs, and called it a "shining example" of mutually beneficial partnership with friendly countries in high-end manufacturing sector. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters in Karnataka's Kolar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the Airbus H125 light utility helicopter Final Assembly Line at Tata‑Airbus' facility at Vemagal Industrial Area in this district from Mumbai.
Renowned for its exceptional reliability, versatility, and outstanding performance under diverse operating conditions, the H-125 has proven to be one of the most effective and trusted single-engine helicopters globally, he said.The Defence minister said "Make in India" and self-reliance have been the cornerstone of India's economic policy since 2014.Defence exports have also increased manifold, placing India among the top exporters in the world, he said. Singh said the growth trajectory has given a massive boost to MSMEs and ancillary sectors, which have grown to more than 16,000 in number, with many foreign companies sourcing components from Indian MSMEs.
The India-France 6th Annual Defence Dialogue also held in Bengaluru on Tuesday, signed agreements to renew Industrial Collaboration and Co-production for the next ten years.  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin were present on this occasion. An agreement was also signed between Bharat Electronics BEL and Safran Electronics France to manufacture the Hammer air-to-ground Missile in India.   
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his opening remarks, reaffirmed the strength of the Indo-French strategic partnership amid evolving global security challenges. Noting that the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership provides a broader framework for enhanced bilateral and regional cooperation, he emphasised that defence remains a central pillar of India-France ties. He welcomed Cathrine Vautrin to India once again. 
In her opening remarks, the French Defence Minister underlined the historic and forward-looking nature of the partnership, particularly in the aerospace and defence sector between the two countries. She called for deeper strategic dialogue amid rising geopolitical tensions.