British aero-engine giant Rolls-Royce has pitched the setting up of a major aero gas turbine complex in India, a move that could strengthen the country's efforts to develop indigenous jet engines for future military aircraft, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fifth-generation fighter programme.
According to a report in The Times of India, Rolls-Royce is also exploring the possibility of setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India as part of its expanding footprint in the country.
Speaking about the proposal, Rolls-Royce Executive Vice President (Transformation India) Sashi Mukundan told TOI that the company, backed by the UK government, has offered to establish an aero gas turbine complex in India with complete transfer of technology.
The proposed facility would initially focus on military aircraft engines and support indigenous engine development programmes. Over time, it could be expanded to cater to dual-use and civil aviation applications as well.
The proposal comes at a time when India is looking to develop a powerful indigenous engine for the AMCA programme, one of the country's most ambitious defence projects. According to Rolls-Royce, the engine for the stealth fighter could be developed in India, with ground testing potentially beginning by 2032 and the first flight taking place around 2034.
The development is significant because the availability of an indigenous high-thrust engine is considered one of the key technological challenges facing India's next-generation fighter aircraft ambitions.
Rolls-Royce already has a longstanding presence in India and maintains joint ventures with companies including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The company has been seeking a greater role in India's military aerospace ecosystem as the government pushes for self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Apart from aero-engine manufacturing, Mukundan said Rolls-Royce is also "seriously exploring" opportunities to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) in India, indicating the company's interest in expanding cooperation beyond the aerospace sector.
