Reliance, Rolls-Royce plan to develop indigenous combat engine for AMCA
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Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce on Friday announced a strategic intent to partner on the design and development of an indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, marking a significant step towards building domestic aerospace propulsion capabilities.
Partnership to focus on sovereign aero-engine capability
The companies said they will explore the formation of a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India that would serve as a centre of excellence for power and propulsion technology.
Under the proposed partnership, Reliance and Rolls-Royce intend to combine their capabilities for the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for the AMCA programme.
The proposed complex would seek to establish an end-to-end Indian capability covering design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support. The companies said the partnership could also unlock opportunities for wider collaborations across defence, civil aerospace and new power and propulsion systems.
Anant Ambani highlights strategic autonomy
Anant Ambani, executive director, Reliance Industries, said the partnership is aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities in critical technologies.
“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. Together, we aim to build an enduring national capability that can make India self-reliant and, over time, globally competitive in advanced propulsion technologies. This is our contribution to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat.”
Rolls-Royce calls it a major milestone
Tufan Erginbilgiç, CEO, Rolls-Royce plc, said the proposed collaboration would combine the British company’s engineering and engine expertise with Reliance’s industrial capabilities in India.
“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. Together, with our existing partnerships and capabilities in India, this marks a major milestone towards building a robust, self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in the country.”
The companies said the alliance would support India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision for technology indigenisation and help position the country as a global leader in advanced propulsion capabilities.
Importantly, the filing describes the announcement as a “strategic intent to partner”. The companies said they will explore the formation of the Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex.