Rolls-Royce Plans Major Investment in India for Engine MRO and Military Development

British engineering major Rolls-Royce is exploring the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India for its civil aviation engines and has offered to set up an aero gas turbine complex in the country to support indigenous engine development for future military aircraft programmes.

Speaking to TOI's Saurabh Sinha, Rolls-Royce Executive Vice President (Transformation India) Sashi Mukundan said the company sees growing demand for engine support services in India, particularly with Air India and IndiGo having placed firm orders for more than 100 Airbus A350 aircraft, which are powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce engines.

“As far as having an engine MRO in India goes, the question is not if but when. It is a matter of timing and will depend on the number of engines we will have here in the next few years,” Mukundan said. He added that Rolls-Royce currently has around 100 engines operating in India’s civil aviation sector across business jets and commercial aircraft. At present, commercial aircraft engines from India are serviced at the company’s facilities in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Mukundan said Rolls-Royce, with the support of the UK government, has proposed establishing an aero gas turbine complex in India with complete technology transfer to support the development of indigenous jet engines. The facility would initially focus on military aircraft engines and could later be expanded for dual-use and civil applications.

According to the company, the proposed engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme could be developed in India, with ground trials targeted by 2032 and a first flight by 2034.

The company is also exploring opportunities in India’s civil nuclear sector following the enactment of the Shanti (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Act, 2025. Mukundan said Rolls-Royce is “seriously exploring” the possibility of deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country.

Rolls-Royce currently operates across multiple sectors in India, including civil and defence aerospace, power systems, naval and land defence. The company has joint ventures with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and Force Motors.

Mukundan said India is emerging as a key market for Rolls-Royce. If opportunities in defence and nuclear energy materialise, the company could invest billions of dollars and create more than 10,000 jobs in the country. Rolls-Royce currently has around 4,300 engines operating across its various business segments in India.