Rolls-Royce plans co-development of next-generation combat jet engine in India

NEW DELHI: Rolls-Royce has decided to scale up its military engine programme in India as it is exploring opportunities to co-develop a next-generation combat jet engine and localise engine manufacture for the Indian Army, Navy as well as Coast Guard.

“As India advances its next generation military capabilities, Rolls-Royce with the UK govt has offered to co-develop a 120 kN class combat jet engine core that could be India’s fastest route to an indigenous next-generation engine,” a company statement said.




Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met PM Narendra Modi last Wednesday to “discuss how Rolls-Royce is scaling up to be a part of Viksit Bharat, including expanding its GCC to be the largest globally, co-creating complex manufacturing and building high-value engineering capabilities”.

After the meeting, PM Modi posted on X, “It was wonderful meeting Mr Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce earlier today. We welcome Rolls-Royce’s enthusiasm towards scaling up its activities in India and partnering with our innovative and dynamic youth.”

The expansion is expected to more than double the company's supported workforce in India to about 10,000 people and increase supply chain sourcing ten-fold.

Rolls Royce highlighted that the co-development will provide full technology transfer with IP ownership for India, supported by a dedicated design complex and manufacturing capabilities that will unlock significant job creation.

The company also estimated a ten-fold increase in its supply-chain sourcing from India, which would benefit many small and medium sized enterprises.

“As we grow our participation in programmes across India’s defence, aviation and energy sectors, we will expand our ecosystem in India, as we have done successfully in other countries,” Tufan added.