New Delhi: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and British aerospace giant, Rolls Royce have announced plans to jointly develop engines for fighter jets in India and the Indian partner is the former. The collaboration is set to help India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which aims to develop the first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet made in India.
The proposed partnership may prove to be an important step towards the development of the Indian defence manufacturing sector. The two companies will co-develop, design and manufacture and deliver an advanced combat engine to India. They are also considering the establishment of a special Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex where all the engine design, test, manufacture and support activities may be combined.
Reliance Enters Fighter Engine Sector
The deal is significant for Reliance Industries, which are making a major step toward a military aviation business. The company already has significant stake in sectors like energy, telecom and retail but the deal could enable it to expand its footprint in India’s premium defence manufacturing industry.
The manufacturing giant would bring its prowess to Rolls-Royce’s vast expertise in aircraft engine technology. The British company has developed and supplied engines for both military and commercial aircraft around the world.
India should build greater strategic independence by gaining more control of key technologies, said Entertainment Minister Anant Ambani, executive director of Reliance Industries. This alliance is expected to be a marriage of the Rolls-Royce’s expertise in engines with the Reliance’s manufacturing prowess.
Focus on India’s AMCA Fighter Jet
The AMCA is one of India’s most important defence projects. It is to be a twin-engine, 5th generation stealth fighter for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft will feature cutting-edge weaponry, sensors, stealth technology and high performance flight capabilities.
Properly making a strong fighter engine is one of the largest difficulties of the AMCA programme. India’s previous attempts to come up with a high-performance engine in India have encountered technical challenges, making technology partnerships with abroad crucial for the programme’s future.
Initially, the first versions of the AMCA will use GE Aerospace’s F414 engine, a future version is to use a more powerful engine in the 120-kilonewton class. Earlier, Rolls-Royce has been providing technology transfer and support to manufacturing such an engine in India.
Push for Defence Self-Reliance
The Reliance-Rolls-Royce deal is part of India’s effort to cut down on the dependency of foreign defence equipment. Building of domestic engine for the fighter aircraft would help India develop essential experience in aerospace engineering, cutting edge manufacturing and engine technology.
Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex could also provide opportunities to Indian suppliers and small companies to be integrated into the aerospace value chain. This may help to create a broader defence manufacturing industry in the country.
But it does not mean that Reliance and Rolls-Royce have already picked up AMCA engine from the contract already. India is still mulling on alternatives and France’s Safran is also in talks for a high thrust fighter engine deal.
The project, if developed, may make India more self-reliant in one of the most crucial components of a modern fighter aircraft its engine. It may also help India reach the goal of being more self-reliant in the production of advanced defence equipment and make it a leading centre for aerospace manufacturing.
