Rolls-Royce Reaffirms Commitment to Co-Develop Engine for India’s AMCA Fighter Despite Safran Lead

In a major reaffirmation of intent, British aerospace major Rolls-Royce has declared that it remains “very much in the game” to co-develop the engine for India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The statement comes amid growing reports that France’s Safran has emerged as the likely partner for the ambitious engine program.

India has long sought a foreign collaborator to develop a high-thrust engine in the 110–130 kN class for AMCA Mk-2, which is scheduled for induction around 2035. While the early Mk-1 variants will be powered by GE’s F414 engines, the indigenous engine will be the technological backbone of future AMCA variants and possibly other platforms.

Although Safran has reportedly secured preliminary approval for its offer, Rolls-Royce insists that the final decision is yet to be made. Speaking to Indian media, Alex Zino, Executive Vice President for Business Development at Rolls-Royce, said, “We’re still in talks; we’re still putting an offer on the table through the UK government.”

Rolls-Royce has proposed a completely new engine design, developed in collaboration with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), and tailored specifically to meet the AMCA’s stealth and performance requirements. The UK-based firm is offering:

• Complete Transfer of Technology (ToT)

• Indian ownership of Intellectual Property (IP)

• Co-development of design and core technologies

• Manufacturing in India under Make-in-India framework

The company has also suggested that the proposed engine architecture could be scaled up to 200 kN thrust, allowing it to power future sixth-generation aircraft or twin-engine deck-based fighters.

Meanwhile, Safran’s proposal has gained traction within Indian defence circles due to its established track record with the Kaveri engine revival, its offer of full technology sharing, and the willingness to set up full-scale manufacturing and design facilities in India. Safran is reportedly planning to share core hot-section technology—a capability no country has transferred to India so far.

However, Rolls-Royce’s latest public statement may reintroduce competitive pressure as the Indian government moves toward a final decision. Officials from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have indicated that a selection will likely be made by the end of 2025, following detailed technical and commercial evaluations.

Defence analysts see this competition as a turning point for India’s long-struggling aero-engine capability. “The stakes are high—not just for AMCA, but for India's entire aviation ecosystem over the next 30 years,” said an expert from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). “Whichever partner India chooses will help shape its technological self-reliance in jet propulsion.”

While Safran may be ahead, Rolls-Royce’s reaffirmation ensures that the race is far from over. Both firms have aligned their proposals with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) vision and promised joint development models that would significantly enhance India’s research, design, and manufacturing capabilities.

With a decision expected in the coming months, the AMCA engine partnership could become a landmark in India's military-industrial history, potentially giving birth to the country's first truly indigenous high-thrust fighter engine.