Rolls-Royce Plans MRO Facility in India for IAF's AE2100 Engines

In a major step toward strengthening its defence partnership with India, Rolls-Royce has announced it is exploring the setup of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India for the AE2100 engine, which powers aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). This move comes in alignment with the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the broader UK-India Vision 2035.

The AE2100D3 engine, specifically, is used to power the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, a critical part of India’s military airlift capability. The proposed MRO facility would enable faster turnaround times, reduce dependency on overseas repairs, and boost operational readiness of the IAF’s fleet.

Speaking about the company’s plans, Abhishek Singh, Senior Vice President - Defence (India and South-East Asia) at Rolls-Royce, said, “We are exploring potential opportunities to set up an MRO for the AE2100 engine operated by the Indian Air Force, and to further scale the partnership for assembly and testing for the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.”

He added that India is not just seen as a customer but as a strategic partner in areas of co-development, innovation, and capability-building. Rolls-Royce also aims to bring more global technical expertise to India, create local talent pipelines, and expand its supplier ecosystem.

The announcement comes as part of a broader push by the British engine maker to deepen its aerospace and defence footprint in India. Rolls-Royce has already declared its intent to double sourcing from India over the next five years, especially in complex aero engine components, in support of India’s ambitions to become a key player in global supply chains.

Currently, Rolls-Royce has multiple industrial partnerships in India, including joint ventures with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Force Motors, as well as collaborations with Tata, Godrej & Boyce, and Bharat Forge. These partnerships are expected to play a crucial role in the company’s growing ambitions.

With the India-UK CETA acting as a catalyst for deeper cooperation, Rolls-Royce envisions the next phase of collaboration under the Defence Industrial Roadmap—a plan aimed at increasing localisation, boosting manufacturing capacity, and creating new defence capabilities in India.

This potential MRO facility for the AE2100 engine could be a significant step toward self-reliance in defence maintenance infrastructure, supporting India's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative while offering strategic and logistical advantages to both nations.