Rolls-Royce aims to expand its presence in India under the Modi 3.0 government, focusing on naval gas turbines and aerospace engines, according to Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce.
“India presents significant opportunities for the expansion of our global supply chain, encompassing both civil aerospace and defence sectors,” stated Zino. Currently, Rolls-Royce engages with approximately 3,000 personnel across its Indian ecosystem, including direct employees and strategic partners, supporting products both domestically and globally. Key Indian partners such as HAL, Bharat Forge, Godrej & Boyce, and Tata supply critical components for Rolls-Royce’s civil and defence aero-engines. Notably, Tata and others manufacture over 300 components for the Trent XWB engines, powering aircraft fleets including Air India’s A350s and soon Indigo’s widebody aircraft.
When asked about engagements with MSMEs and startups in India, Zino highlighted ongoing efforts to expand supplier networks in these sectors. “While our current engagements are limited, we are actively exploring additional partnerships within the MSME ecosystem,” he remarked. Notably, Rolls-Royce collaborates with AAran 1 Engineering Pvt. Ltd. on defence-related projects.
Discussing future expansions, Zino outlined key sectors of interest for Rolls-Royce in India, focusing on naval gas turbines, MTU power solutions, and electric propulsions. “We are exploring potential partnerships, including for our 4-megawatt AG gas turbine and the MT30 gas turbine,” he added. Rolls-Royce is also involved in initiatives like the UK-India Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership Working Group to support future Indian Navy ships.
In the aerospace domain, Rolls-Royce continues to support existing fleets and is engaged with the Indian Air Force regarding decisions on Jaguar fighters. Zino emphasized their collaboration with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) on India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, focusing on technology transfer and development.
Regarding specific projects, Zino mentioned their involvement with L&T on an engine for a light tank, highlighting recent progress despite initial delays.
Rolls-Royce remains committed to enhancing its manufacturing capabilities in India, supporting both defence modernization efforts and civil aerospace developments, underlining its strategic commitment to the country’s expanding industrial landscape.
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