Rolls-Royce has stated that India is steadily developing capabilities in advanced aero-engine manufacturing, with the potential to become a globally competitive base for high-value aerospace components, Business Line reported.

The company is expanding its supplier ecosystem and deepening the integration of Indian manufacturers into its global supply chains.

Sashi Mukundan, Executive Vice-President – Transformation, Rolls-Royce India, explained that Indian industry is progressively building expertise in manufacturing compressor and turbine components, rotating parts, complex machined structures and advanced aerospace processes.

This expansion is part of Rolls-Royce’s wider plan to increase sourcing from India to around $1 billion over the next five years.

The company’s long-term objective is to make India a strategic manufacturing and engineering hub for its civil aerospace, defence and power systems businesses. Mukundan emphasised that Rolls-Royce’s ambitions for India include the creation of a complete sovereign aero-engine ecosystem, centred on a proposed Aero Gas Turbine Complex. This facility would anchor India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program and support indigenous engine development.

Strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem in both scale and technological capability is seen as fundamental to supporting Rolls-Royce’s long-term aero-engine programs.

It would also enable India to play a larger role in global aerospace supply chains. Beyond component manufacturing, Rolls-Royce expects India to enhance capabilities in quality management systems, regulatory approvals, certification processes and advanced materials handling.

Mukundan stressed that the company’s objective goes beyond simply increasing sourcing volumes. The focus is on developing long-term industrial capability through technology partnerships, knowledge transfer and supplier development. This approach is designed to build resilience and sustainability in India’s aerospace sector.

The recent visit of Rolls-Royce Group Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer Martin Thomsen to India highlighted the company’s commitment to strengthening relationships with existing suppliers while identifying new partners capable of supporting future global programs.

The expansion of the supplier ecosystem is expected to improve supply-chain resilience and support India’s ambition of building an internationally competitive aerospace manufacturing base under the Viksit Bharat vision. Rolls-Royce currently collaborates with several Indian companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Forge, Tata, Godrej, Force Motors and Azad Engineering.

This initiative aligns with India’s broader industrial and strategic goals, reinforcing its position as a key partner in global aerospace manufacturing while creating opportunities for advanced technology transfer and industrial growth.

Agencies