Our Bureau
Mumbai
Rolls-Royce, the renowned British engineering powerhouse, has unveiled ambitious plans to make India a key strategic hub, with an emphasis on bolstering defence and technology partnerships. Speaking during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to India, Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic declared that the company will leverage its leading-edge technologies across air, land, and sea to accelerate India’s path to a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and bolster in-country capabilities.
The move is aimed at fostering partnerships to drive India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, energy independence, and advanced AI infrastructure. Rolls-Royce’s legacy in India spans over nine decades, and the company is now seeking to double its supply chain sourcing from the country by 2030. Erginbilgic underscored the shared vision of the UK and India, highlighting that their collaboration would be mutually beneficial, promoting both economic growth and innovation.
Prime Minister Starmer lauded the company’s commitment, noting it underscores the value of UK-India ties and supports job creation and economic transformation in both nations. Central to Rolls-Royce’s push is the recent inauguration of an expanded Global Capability and Innovation Centre in India, designed to be the company’s largest capability hub globally. This facility consolidates digital, engineering, and enterprise functions, reinforcing civil aerospace and defence projects while advancing local talent development.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc continues to provide propulsion and power systems for aircraft, ships, and energy projects worldwide, separate from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, which is owned by BMW. As CEO Erginbilgic tours Indian partners and customers, the company’s deepening presence positions it as a critical partner in India’s march towards technological self-reliance and worldwide industrial prominence.
