Global aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is looking to expand its capabilities in India across defence, aerospace and energy, as the company held its global board meeting in the country for the first time this week.
During the three-day visit, Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the company’s long-term ambitions for India and opportunities to support the country’s priorities as a strategic partner.
According to the company, its growth plans build on its decades-long presence in India, established industrial partnerships, growing engineering footprint and expanding manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem.
“India is very important to Rolls-Royce and our long-term growth ambitions. We want to deepen our role as a strategic partner supporting energy security, infrastructure growth, national security and connectivity, contributing to economic growth for India,” Erginbilgiç said.
He added that the company’s focus spans developing sovereign aero-engine capability and exploring new opportunities across power and propulsion.
As part of these plans, Rolls-Royce and Reliance Industries had, in August 2026, announced their strategic intent to partner to offer capabilities for the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The proposed partnership would include the establishment of a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex (AGTC) in India, with the AMCA engine programme as its anchor.
According to the company, the complex is envisaged as a complete sovereign aero-engine ecosystem spanning design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support.
Besides, it could create a long-term national capability supporting future military, naval and civil aerospace applications.
During the visit, the company said its Chair Dame Anita Frew and the Board of Directors met the company’s India leadership team and government stakeholders.
The board, Rolls-Royce said visited its Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, where teams across engineering, defence, global business services, digital and IT demonstrated capabilities being delivered from India.
In addition, Rolls-Royce said it is pursuing opportunities across its civil aviation, defence and power systems businesses to support India’s ambitions for self-reliance in defence and energy, alongside growth in civil aviation, infrastructure and industry.