Rolls-Royce’s Commitment to India: Co-Developing a New Jet Engine and Expanding Indigenous Manufacturing? Is It a Good Offer for India?
- Eurasia India International Affairs North America South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 3 minutes read
Rolls-Royce has expressed its willingness to co-develop a brand-new jet engine with India, starting from scratch rather than basing it on the existing Eurojet EJ200 platform. This approach ensures that India will have full ownership of the intellectual property (IP), a crucial factor in achieving true self-reliance in aerospace technology. This offer stands in contrast to competing proposals, such as that from SAFRAN, which have only included partial IP transfers rather than full co-development rights. The clean-sheet design approach by Rolls-Royce provides India with a strategic advantage by enabling complete control over the engine’s design, upgrades, and future enhancements. On the other hand, SAFRAN and other engine manufacturers have proposed partnerships that do not offer complete technology transfer. The Rolls-Royce deal aligns with India’s long-term vision of developing an independent defence industrial base, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers, and bolstering national security.
Rolls-Royce has been an active player in India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem for several decades. The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Triveni Engineering and Industries Limited to co-develop 4MW marine gas turbine generators (GTGs) tailored for India’s naval requirements. Apart from this, Rolls-Royce has established a significant manufacturing footprint in India through collaborations with various suppliers and joint ventures. One such key partnership is with International Aerospace Manufacturing Private Limited (IAMPL), which specializes in producing complex aerospace components. Another crucial collaboration is with Force Motors, which supports the production of Rolls-Royce power systems in India. In addition, Rolls-Royce has a seven-year-long strategic partnership with Azad Engineering for manufacturing high-precision defence components. This extensive industrial presence highlights Rolls-Royce’s commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace and defence capabilities.
Rolls-Royce has a long-standing relationship with the Indian Armed Forces, having supplied over 1,400 engines that power a variety of military platforms. These engines support both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and other defence services. The company’s continued engagement with the armed forces underscores its commitment to maintaining and enhancing India’s defence capabilities through indigenous production and technology transfer.As part of its broader vision, Rolls-Royce has proposed a significant increase in its supply chain sourcing from India. According to Rolls-Royce’s India & South Asia President, Kishore Jayaraman, the company aims to double its sourcing from India by 2030. This aligns with India’s ongoing defence indigenization and modernization initiatives, promoting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign imports. One of the most prominent examples of Rolls-Royce’s local manufacturing investments is the IAMPL facility in Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art facility produces over 160 complex aerospace components that support not only Rolls-Royce’s global fleet but also contribute to India’s broader aerospace ecosystem.
