Mumbai, India: Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced plans to work together on the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of an indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

The strategic intent, announced on August 14, 2026, could lead to the creation of a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India, which the companies envisage as a centre for power and propulsion technology. The proposed facility would bring together Rolls-Royce’s engine expertise and Reliance’s manufacturing, technology and project execution capabilities.

The companies said the proposed collaboration is intended to establish an Indian capability covering the full engine lifecycle. This would include design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support for the propulsion system.

The proposed partnership is centred on India’s AMCA programme, with the two companies positioning the initiative around the development of a sovereign combat engine capability within the country. The announcement does not specify an engine design, development timeline or production schedule.

For Reliance, the proposed alliance brings its industrial and manufacturing capabilities into a defence aerospace programme involving advanced propulsion. Rolls-Royce would contribute its established experience in aircraft engines and advanced propulsion technologies.

Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Industries, said the proposed partnership would combine Rolls-Royce’s advanced propulsion expertise with Reliance’s technology, manufacturing scale and execution capabilities. He described the intended outcome as an indigenous aero-engine ecosystem in India.

Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç said the company would combine its engineering and engine expertise with Reliance’s capabilities in Indian industry.

The proposed Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex could also provide a base for future cooperation beyond the AMCA programme. According to the companies, areas under consideration could include defence, civil aerospace and new power and propulsion systems.

The initiative is being positioned within India’s broader effort to build domestic capabilities in strategically important technologies. The companies said the proposed arrangement would support the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective of technology indigenisation.

The announcement represents a strategic intent rather than a completed partnership or engine development contract. Further steps will determine how the proposed collaboration and Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex take shape.

Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by Rolls-Royce
Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce announce strategic intent to partner and develop India’s indigenous combat engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme | Rolls-Royce