Rolls-Royce Accelerates India Expansion with Major Push in Defence, Aerospace and Energy!
Rolls-Royce has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly scale up its presence in India, positioning the country as a key strategic market across defence, civil aviation and energy. This move aligns closely with India’s long-term Viksit Bharat vision and the government’s continued focus on strengthening domestic capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
At the heart of this expansion is Rolls-Royce’s intent to deepen its involvement in India’s defence ecosystem. The company is actively exploring the co-development of a next-generation 120 kN combat jet engine, a project that could mark a major leap in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities. In parallel, discussions are underway to establish partnerships aimed at localising the manufacturing of engines for the Indian Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Beyond defence, Rolls-Royce is also evaluating opportunities to deliver advanced power and energy solutions to support critical infrastructure and industrial growth in the country.
If these initiatives materialise, they could generate a substantial economic impact. Rolls-Royce estimates the creation of up to 10,000 jobs across its operations and wider partner ecosystem in India, more than doubling its current workforce footprint. Additionally, the company anticipates a ten-fold increase in sourcing from India, opening up significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to integrate into global supply chains and contribute to high-value manufacturing.
The strategic importance of India was further reinforced during a recent meeting between Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic and Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Discussions focused on how Rolls-Royce’s advanced technologies could support India’s priorities around national security, energy resilience and industrial development. The company reiterated its commitment to contributing to India’s self-reliance journey by fostering indigenous propulsion technologies, expanding local manufacturing and strengthening long-term industrial partnerships.
Rolls-Royce already maintains a strong and well-established presence in India. More than 1,400 of its engines are currently in service across key defence platforms, including Jaguar combat aircraft, Hawk advanced jet trainers, Arjun main battle tanks, and multiple vessels operated by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The company also plays a critical role in supporting mission readiness for MTU engines and collaborates closely with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to maintain and service in-use aero engines.
Its industrial ecosystem in India is extensive and continues to grow. Rolls-Royce has forged partnerships with over 100 Indian suppliers, including leading names such as Tata Group, Bharat Forge, Godrej & Boyce and Azad Engineering. These collaborations are critical in building a resilient and globally competitive supply chain rooted in India.
Furthermore, the company has recently expanded its Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, which supports engineering, digital and enterprise operations for both civil aerospace and defence programmes worldwide. Its joint venture, International Aerospace Manufacturing Private Limited, operates advanced manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Hosur, producing high-precision aero-engine components for global markets.
Overall, Rolls-Royce’s expansion signals a strong vote of confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities and its potential to emerge as a global hub for advanced engineering and aerospace innovation.
