Vayu: How is Rolls-Royce contributing to India's
aspirations of expanding manufacturing and defence exports?
Rolls-Royce sees
India as a significant opportunity for growth and expansion of its global
supply chain, specifically in the A&D sector. We work with a large set of
supply chain partners, with a sharp focus on enhancing manufacturing
capabilities and integrating them into the global supply chain ecosystem. We continue to strengthen and grow these partnerships, in
line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Ours is the original ‘Make in India’ story which
started 68 years ago when we partnered with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
for licensed production of our engines within the country. We have a strong
joint venture with HAL called International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd.
(IAMPL), which manufactures aero-engine components for defence, civil and business
jets. Our other joint venture with Force Motors, called
Force mtu Power Systems, produces mtu Series 1600 engines and
complete generator sets at the Export Oriented Unit in Chakan near Pune, for
both Indian and global markets.
We are also
proud of our engineering capabilities in India, with 2000 high skilled
engineers working in-house and through outsourcing agreements on various global
development programmes. Overall, more than 3000 people work across the
Rolls-Royce ecosystem in India, including our own businesses, supply chain
partners and JVs.
Vayu: Tell us about Rolls-Royce’s proposal for
India’s AMCA programme?
Our presence in
India spans over 90 years, and we have continued to support the Indian Armed
Forces with complex power and propulsion solutions. Rolls-Royce has also successfully
transferred combat jet engine technology in India, enabling manufacturing,
assembly and testing capabilities in-country. Today, we are well positioned in
the region with a strong ecosystem of strategic partnerships, skilled talent,
digital solutions, service delivery, robust supply chain and manufacturing.
We are keen to
participate in co-development opportunities that will create both technology
and capability in India, and help accelerate India’s vision of self-reliance in
defence. Our proposed combat aircraft engine co-development model will offer India
an opportunity to create and own intellectual property (IP) for critical combat
engine technology, allowing future upgrades and exports. Such a partnership
will ensure the transfer of both know-how and know-why that will support and
facilitate future development programmes. This will also enable the supply
chain ecosystem and defence production capabilities for combat engines in India
including aftermarket support, with significant potential to generate job
opportunities.
This is in
contrast with the license-to-build approach where IP is owned by the OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) resulting in limited or no in-country capability
development for India. We are offering a collaborative model for bespoke combat
engine, development and lifetime support to suit India’s requirements.
Such a programme,
with the full support of the UK Government, would deepen defence cooperation
between India and the UK. The UK is a strong and natural ally for India in
pursuing the co-development of combat engines. The recent 2+2 dialogue and other
engagement between the two nations further underscore the commitment to a
comprehensive and strategic India-UK partnership.
The time is opportune
to take this partnership to the next level through co-creation of critical
technologies that the UK is well placed to offer. Rolls-Royce, with its long standing relationship with the Indian Armed Forces, stands ready to be the industry partner of
choice to collaborate with Indian partners to deliver this vision.
Vayu: How is Rolls-Royce supporting the Adour
engines in service with the Indian Air Force?
As the Indian
Air Force undertakes its modernisation programme, Rolls-Royce is committed to
providing it with the best value, and highest quality products possible. The
Adour Mk 804/ Mk 811 was made, and continues to be supported in India by
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with Rolls-Royce support. We are committed
to this partnership and will continue to support today’s fleet, including the
Adour Mk 804/ Mk 811 through diligent planning and mutual cooperation of IAF,
HAL and Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce and
HAL have partnered to 'Make in India' engine parts for Adour engines,
supporting their long-term sustainment for both Indian and global customers.
Additionally, we also manufacture Adour engine components with various partners
in India. This further underscores our efforts to expand indigenous production
capabilities while ensuring the operational readiness and performance of the
Adour engine fleet, ensuring the highest level of support for these engines
until the end of their service.
Vayu: Tell us about the partnership that Rolls-Royce
announced with TCS for hydrogen fuel systems for sustainable aviation.
Rolls-Royce is committed to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and
supporting our customers to do the same. We are improving the efficiency of our
products, proving compatibility of our engines to alternate fuels and
collaborating with partners to enable the energy transition journey.
Our partnership
with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) involves research into hydrogen fuel
system technology, continuing to prove hydrogen could be a zero carbon aviation
fuel of the future. With the support of TCS, we want to address three key
challenges in the journey to enabling hydrogen for use in aviation: fuel
combustion, fuel delivery and fuel systems integration with an engine. Additionally,
Rolls-Royce and TCS have been working together since 2010 in the areas of
design, manufacturing engineering, control systems and software, after-market
services as well as IT services.
This partnership
with TCS highlights Rolls-Royce's commitment to driving sustainable
transformation across industries and supports the broader mission of using
advanced technologies to make a positive societal impact. It is a crucial step
in advancing these sustainability goals, positioning the company at the
forefront of the industry’s efforts to reduce environmental impact and
contribute to a sustainable future in aviation.
Adour maintenance
Adour powered Hawk-IAF
Adour powered Jaguar at HAL