India's Reliance to partner with Rolls-Royce on combat engine for fighter jets

A prototype of the jet, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, is expected to roll out in 2028 Reuters August 14, 2026 1 min read Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's most advanced stealth fighter jet, at the "Aero India 2025" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 11, 2025. REUTERS Reliance Industries said on Friday it planned to partner with Britain's Rolls-Royce to develop and manufacture ​an engine for India's fighter jet programme, as the country ‌aims to build its most advanced stealth combat aircraft. A prototype of the jet, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, is expected to roll out in 2028 and play ​a key role in India's future air combat strategy. Last year, India approved a framework to build its most advanced stealth fighter jet and ⁠invited interest from defence firms, weeks after a military conflict with ​nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan. Read: India seeks proposals for fifth generation combat jets: report In a move to reduce its dependence on imported defence equipment, ​the country also opened the door for domestic companies to participate in developing the twin-engine stealth fighter, approving the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. Under the ​proposed partnership announced on Friday, Reliance and Rolls-Royce will explore forming a ​dedicated aerospace gas turbine complex in India to jointly develop the engine. "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," Reliance Executive Director Anant Ambani said in a statement. The announcement potentially positions the ​British aero-engine maker ​against France's Safran, ⁠which has separately proposed a joint venture with India's state-run GTRE to develop a higher-thrust engine for later versions ​of the AMCA fighter. Read more: India says defence exports hit 'all-time high' of $4 billion Hindustan Aeronautics manufactures the 4.5-generation Tejas ​fighter jet, ⁠but has faced slow engine deliveries from General Electric due to supply chain issues faced by the US firm. Rolls-Royce, which has previously worked with India on military ⁠propulsion ​programmes, supplies engines for a range of ​defence and civil aerospace applications.