UK aerospace and defence giant Rolls-Royce is deepening its strategic engagement in India by scaling up local capabilities in maintenance, supply chain, and co-development.

Aligning with the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Defence Industrial Roadmap, the company is considering setting up an MRO facility for its AE2100 engines used by the Indian Air Force. This initiative supports the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme and aims to boost local assembly and testing.

Rolls-Royce plans to double sourcing from India within five years, focusing on complex aero engine components and strengthening supply chain integration. With over 3,000 employees in India—2,000 being engineers and professionals, the company maintains partnerships with HAL, Force Motors, Tata, Godrej & Boyce, and Bharat Forge.

Abhishek Singh, SVP (Defence, India & SE Asia), emphasized India’s role as a codevelopment partner. This move is part of a broader realignment in UK-India defence ties, fostering innovation, self-reliance, and technical collaboration—making India a central hub in Rolls-Royce’s global defence manufacturing strategy.