Reliance Industries, Rolls-Royce to partner on indigenous AMCA combat engine

Reliance Industries (RIL) on Friday announced a rare foray into the defence sector, partnering with British engine maker Rolls-Royce to offer capabilities for the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of an indigenous combat engine for India’s advanced medium combat aircraft programme.

The proposed alliance will combine Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced propulsion and engine technology with RIL’s manufacturing, technology and execution capabilities, the companies said.

The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate has largely stayed away from the expanding defence industry that’s witnessing a deepening private footprint. However, RIL owns majority stake in a manufacturer of military and non-military drones. It was also original partner in an abandoned plan to produce French Rafale fighter jets in India in the 2010s.

RIL has also acquired stakes in several defence startups and companies.

The partnership also entails RIL and Rolls-Royce exploring the establishment of a dedicated aerospace gas turbine complex as a centre of excellence for power and propulsion technology.

“The partnership will offer a compelling proposition for joint development of the AMCA engine in India, bringing together world-leading technology and industrial execution capabilities,” according to the statement. The partnership is aimed at building end-to-end Indian capability covering the design, development, manufacturing, testing, production, and through-life support of aero-engines, it said


The RIL-Rolls-Royce partnership will face a major challenge from French manufacturer Safran, which has been shortlisted to develop next-generation fighter jet engines for the AMCA programme.

“India’s strategic autonomy requires sovereign capability in critical technologies,” said Anant Ambani, executive director, RIL. “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.”

The alliance underscores India’s efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities in critical defence technologies and reduce dependence on imports. It is also aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push to indigenise defence manufacturing and develop advanced propulsion capabilities within the country.

“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,” said Tufan Erginbilgiç, chief executive at Rolls-Royce.

The proposed aero gas turbine complex could also create opportunities for wider collaboration in defence, civil aerospace, and new power and propulsion systems.

The companies didn’t disclose the proposed investment or timeline for setting up the complex.