Rolls-Royce is preparing a major expansion in India with plans for a civil aviation engine MRO facility, an aero gas turbine complex for indigenous military jet engines, and exploration of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the nuclear energy sector, according to a report by TOI.

These initiatives could bring billions in investment and create over 10,000 jobs, positioning India as a key global hub for aerospace and clean energy.

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India is a matter of timing rather than possibility.

The company already has around 100 civil aviation engines operating in India across business jets and commercial aircraft. With Air India and IndiGo placing firm orders for more than 100 Airbus A350 aircraft, powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce engines, the demand for local engine support services is expected to rise sharply.

Currently, Indian commercial aircraft engines are serviced at Rolls-Royce facilities in Singapore and Hong Kong, making a domestic MRO centre strategically important for reducing dependence on overseas hubs.

Sashi Mukundan, Executive Vice President (Transformation India), explained that Rolls-Royce, with full support from the UK government, has proposed setting up an aero gas turbine complex in India. 

This facility would provide complete technology transfer, ensuring India’s sovereignty over intellectual property. Initially, the complex would focus on military aircraft engines, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

Rolls-Royce has targeted ground trials for the AMCA engine by 2032 and a first flight by 2034. The facility could later expand to dual-use and civil aviation applications, strengthening India’s indigenous propulsion capabilities.

The company is also seriously exploring opportunities in India’s civil nuclear energy sector. Following the enactment of the Shanti Act in 2025, which opened the nuclear sector to private participation, Rolls-Royce is evaluating the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs).

These reactors are seen as a promising low-carbon energy solution and could play a significant role in India’s clean energy transition. Mukundan emphasised that Rolls-Royce is committed to supporting India’s long-term energy security and sustainability goals.

Rolls-Royce already operates across multiple sectors in India, including civil and defence aerospace, power systems, naval and land defence.

It has joint ventures with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Force Motors, and recently expanded its aerospace manufacturing capabilities through its Hosur facility in Tamil Nadu, which produces critical jet engine components for global programmes.

The company has indicated that India is emerging as its next “home market” alongside the UK, US, and Germany, reflecting the scale of its ambitions in the country.

If these opportunities in defence and nuclear energy materialise, Rolls-Royce expects to invest billions of dollars and create more than 10,000 jobs in India.

The company currently has around 4,300 engines operating across its various business segments in the country. By establishing an MRO facility, building an aero gas turbine complex, and deploying SMRs, Rolls-Royce aims to deepen its footprint in India and contribute to the nation’s aerospace and energy self-reliance.

Agencies