British aerospace and engineering company Rolls-Royce has held its board meeting in India for the first time, signalling its growing focus on the country’s defence, aerospace, energy and infrastructure sectors.
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the company’s three-day visit to India. Discussions focused on long-term business plans and opportunities to support India’s energy security, defence capabilities and industrial growth.
The company’s board, chaired by Dame Anita Frew, also met its India leadership team and government stakeholders. The delegation visited Rolls-Royce’s Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, where teams showcased work across engineering, defence, digital technology and global business services.
A key focus of the company’s India strategy is its proposed partnership with Reliance Industries to develop an indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
Announced in August 2026, the strategic partnership aims to cover the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign aero-engine for India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter. The companies are also exploring the establishment of a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.
The proposed facility would support an end-to-end domestic ecosystem for aero-engine development, including engineering, manufacturing, testing, production and long-term maintenance. It could also support future military, naval and civil aerospace requirements.
The initiative aligns with India’s efforts to strengthen defence self-reliance and reduce dependence on imported critical technologies. However, the partnership remains at the strategic-intent stage, with the proposed complex still under consideration.
Beyond defence aviation, Rolls-Royce is exploring opportunities across civil aviation, power systems and infrastructure. Its latest visit highlights India’s growing importance as a market for advanced engineering, manufacturing and technology partnerships.
