Rolls-Royce is still very much in the running to co-develop engines for India’s under-development fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the company has told Business Standard, pushing back against media reports suggesting otherwise.
“We’re still talking to the customer. We’re still engaged, and we’re still putting an offer on the table through the UK government,” said Alex Zino, executive vice-president (business development & future programmes for UK & international markets) and global head of government relations at Rolls-Royce.
Zino also confirmed that the UK’s AMCA engine offer is part of a joint government-industry push under the Defence Partnership–India (DP-I) initiative, which was announced at Aero India 2025.
‘This is about strategic autonomy’
Zino described the opportunity as a catalyst, not just for delivering a next-gen engine, but for enabling India’s long-term independence in gas turbine technology. “We’re not just bringing technology or design and development capability to India. We’re offering new ways of doing it, faster and to tighter time scales than historically expected.”
He added that Rolls-Royce is prepared to “codesign and codevelop the engine in India, for India,” with full transfer of engine “knowhow and knowwhy.” The UK company’s pitch draws heavily from its experience in the sixth-generation Tempest fighter jet programme.
Zino stressed that the offer goes beyond the AMCA programme itself. “The aim is to stand up an ecosystem that supports future programmes and evolving requirements for India over time, but a specific programme like AMCA is needed to trigger that transfer.”
Ceta will help drive aerospace growth in India
Zino also pointed to the recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) between India and the UK as a major step forward for the aerospace sector. “There are provisions related to trade in commercial aerospace and the gradual reduction of tariffs, aligned with the WTO’s goal of zero tariffs in aerospace, which will benefit both the UK and India.”
According to him, this will aid existing partnerships with Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo, and support component movement and supply chain growth. Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines are expected to enter India as these carriers expand their fleets.
Civil aviation investments picking up pace
Zino revealed that the company plans to double its aerospace supply chain output from India and is evaluating setting up a full-scale maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for civil aviation. “We already support Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in maintaining the fleet we currently power."
Rolls-Royce is also eyeing MRO support in India for the AE 2100 turboprop engine, which powers one of the aircraft being evaluated under the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft project.
Defence road map creates policy momentum
The UK-based aerospace giant is also optimistic about the recently finalised India-UK Defence Industrial Road Map, which it says provides “clear policy-level hooks” to deepen cooperation.
“Recent events have underlined India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. And that means intellectual property, capability, and supply chains rooted in India,” Zino told Business Standard. “Seeing it in writing, and seeing it signed off by both governments — gives shape to the frameworks and enablers we need.”
He said this new structure, combined with Vision 2035, the upgraded India-UK 2+2 dialogue, and DP-I, means the rhetoric is now being backed by mechanisms that enable real execution.
Supply chain ramp-up already underway
The company is actively working with Indian suppliers and expects to finalise new contracts over the coming months. “We’re seeing strong opportunities and some genuinely exciting capability in the supply chain,” Zino said.
If the AMCA engine project materialises, he added, it would further expand that supply base, not just for defence but also for civil aviation, helping develop full life-cycle capability in India.
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