Rolls-Royce and others in race to power India’s next-gen fighter jets: Report

India is engaging with manufacturers from the UK, France, and Japan to jointly produce fighter jet engines, according to a Bloomberg report. This effort is part of a broader strategy to strengthen defence ties beyond the United States and to address capability gaps amid increasing regional tensions.

The report states that Rolls-Royce from the UK has offered to jointly manufacture engines and transfer technology during recent talks with Indian defence officials. France’s Safran SA has also shown interest in sharing intellectual property and technology. Japan made a similar proposal earlier this year, although the partner company was not specified. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will review these offers as it moves forward with the project.

The engines under consideration are expected to power India’s upcoming twin-engine fighter jets currently in development. The Ministry of Defence is preparing to seek government approval for the project soon. Additionally, India has recently opened the door for private domestic companies to design and develop advanced warplanes, marking a significant step towards self-reliance.

Delays in US collaboration

India has also been in discussions with General Electric (GE) since 2023 to jointly produce the GE F414 engines, but these talks have been slower than expected. The country imposed penalties on GE last year due to delays in engine deliveries, which impacted the timeline for its single-engine fighter aircraft.

The report highlights that India’s push to manufacture jet engines domestically reflects lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine, emphasising the need for secure and reliable defence supply chains. Expanding partnerships beyond the US is seen as a practical move to diversify sources rather than a sign of strained relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is also focused on boosting local defence production to reduce import dependency and create jobs. As the world’s largest arms importer, India continues to collaborate with global defence leaders while enhancing its domestic capabilities.