Reliance Industries Limited and Rolls-Royce have announced their strategic intent to partner on the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
As part of the proposed partnership, the two companies plan to explore forming a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex, intended to serve as a centre of excellence for power and propulsion technology in India.
The partnership would combine Rolls-Royce’s engine technology with Reliance’s industrial manufacturing and execution capabilities, working toward joint development of the AMCA engine in India. The companies frame the move as a step toward the indigenous fighter-engine capability set out by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country’s defence ecosystem.
“India’s strategic autonomy requires sovereign capability in critical technologies. Our intent with Rolls-Royce is to combine their world-leading expertise in advanced propulsion with Reliance’s technology, manufacturing, scale and execution capabilities to build an indigenous aero-engine ecosystem in India,” said Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited.
“I welcome the opportunity to join forces with Reliance Industries, bringing together our century-long heritage in advanced engineering and proven engine expertise with their homegrown leadership in Indian industry,” said Tufan Erginbilgiç, CEO, Rolls-Royce plc.
Combining Rolls-Royce’s engine expertise with Reliance’s industrial base, the proposed Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex is intended to build sovereign, end-to-end Indian capability across design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support. The companies said the partnership could also open opportunities for wider collaboration across defence, civil aerospace and new power and propulsion systems.
The alliance is positioned as supporting India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) push for technology indigenisation, with the two companies aiming to position India as a global leader in advanced propulsion capabilities.
