Reliance, Rolls-Royce join hands to develop engine for India's AMCA fighter jet

The proposed partnership will bring together Rolls-Royce's expertise in advanced aircraft engines and Reliance Industries' manufacturing, technology and execution capabilities.The purchase also comes at a time when Indian refiners have been actively securing crude supplies. India’s push to build a home-grown fighter jet engine has received a major boost. Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced their strategic intent to work together on an indigenous combat engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.The two companies also plan to explore setting up an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India that could become a centre for advanced engine and propulsion technology.RELIANCE, ROLLS-ROYCE TO WORK ON AMCA ENGINEThe proposed partnership will bring together Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced aircraft engines and Reliance Industries’ manufacturing, technology and execution capabilities.The companies said they intend to explore the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign combat engine for India’s AMCA programme. The partnership is aimed at creating an end-to-end capability in India, covering engine design and development to manufacturing, testing, production and long-term support.Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries, said developing critical technologies within India is important for the country’s strategic independence. “India’s strategic autonomy requires sovereign capability in critical technologies,” Ambani said.He added that the partnership would combine Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced propulsion with Reliance’s technology, manufacturing scale and execution capabilities.“Together, we aim to build an enduring national capability that can make India self-reliant and, over time, globally competitive in advanced propulsion technologies,” he said.AEROSPACE GAS TURBINE COMPLEX PLANNEDAs part of the proposed partnership, the companies will explore the formation of a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.The facility is expected to focus on power and propulsion technology and could support capabilities across the complete engine development cycle.The companies said the proposed complex would help build an Indian capability covering design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support.The partnership could also open the door to wider cooperation in defence, civil aerospace and new power and propulsion systems.ROLLS-ROYCE BRINGS ENGINE EXPERTISEFor Rolls-Royce, the partnership would build on its long experience in aircraft engine technology and its existing presence and partnerships in India.Tufan Erginbilgi, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said the company would bring its engineering and engine expertise to the proposed partnership.“I welcome the opportunity to join forces with Reliance Industries, bringing together our century-long heritage in advanced engineering and proven engine expertise with their homegrown leadership in Indian industry,” Erginbilgi said.He said the partnership marked an important step towards developing a stronger and more self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in India.FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS DEFENCE TECHNOLOGYThe proposed collaboration comes as India continues to focus on reducing its dependence on imported defence technology and building domestic capabilities.The companies said the partnership would support the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by helping develop advanced propulsion capabilities within India.The proposed Aero Gas Turbine Complex could also create opportunities beyond the AMCA programme, with Reliance and Rolls-Royce looking at possible collaborations across defence, civil aerospace and other power and propulsion technologies.The companies said their broader aim is to help India develop sovereign capabilities in advanced propulsion and, over time, position the country as a global player in the sector.- EndsPublished By: Jasmine anandPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 18:53 IST