Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced plans to partner on the development of an engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The two companies are planning to work on the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for the AMCA 5th generation fighter which is planned to enter service during the next decade.
As part of the proposed collaboration, Reliance and Rolls-Royce will also explore the creation of an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India as a Centre of Excellence for military power and propulsion technologies.
“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,” said Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries.
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç said the partnership would build on the company’s existing presence in India and contribute to strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
Rolls-Royce already has a significant presence in India’s military aviation sector, with over 750 engines across various engine types powering Indian military aircraft.
These include the Sepecat Jaguar, BAE Systems Hawk Mk132, Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Westland Sea King and the HS-748 Avro.
According to the companies, the propose gas turbine complex would support indigenous capabilities spanning engine design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support, while also creating opportunities for future collaboration in defence, civil aerospace and advanced propulsion systems.
AMCA is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) establishment. The IAF could procure up to 120 AMCA fighters.
The foundation stones for the Core Integration and Flight Testing Centre at Puttaparthi, Sri Satya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh were laid in May 2026.
The total outlay for the AMCA programme is INR15,000 crore (approximately US$1.57 billion) out of which establishment of the Core Integration and Flight Testing Centre will cost approximately INR 2,000 crore (approximately US$215 million)
Early prototypes are planned to be powered by General Electric F414-INS6 engines.
