India’s Stealth Fighter: UK Pitches Full Tech Transfer, IP Rights For AMCA Engine

Last Updated:August 26, 2026, 10:13 PM IST

The proposal involves co-developing a completely new 120+ kilonewton engine specifically for the fifth-generation fighter jet.

The proposal arrives amid a growing partnership between the British company and Reliance Industries in India. (Representative image)

India will receive a complete transfer of technology and full intellectual property rights for the engine offered by British aerospace major Rolls-Royce for the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The proposal involves co-developing a completely new 120+ kilonewton engine specifically for the fifth-generation fighter jet. The Rolls-Royce pitch comes as New Delhi evaluates options between the British aerospace major and France’s Safran to power its future stealth fighter.

The pitch includes the argument that the French engine could still rely on third-party components or retain licensing links to the parent company. This could restrict India’s ability to develop future engines independently. However, the proposed Rolls-Royce engine, will be completely free of third-party components. This ensures the British offer remains immune from potential third-party sanctions.

The proposal arrives amid a growing partnership between the British company and Reliance Industries in India. Rolls-Royce and Reliance have partnered to establish an aerospace manufacturing facility in the country. The collaboration aims to build capabilities for manufacturing aero-engine components and supporting India’s wider aerospace ecosystem.

The proposed AMCA engine programme could further expand the role of Indian industry in the development and production of advanced fighter engines.

The AMCA project is India’s most ambitious aerospace programme. The initial Mk1 variant will fly using the American GE F414 engine. The Mk2 variant requires a much stronger 110-130 kilonewton-class indigenous engine to handle heavier weapon loads and meet strict stealth requirements.

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How will the AMCA engine deal with third-party sanctions?

The proposed Rolls-Royce engine for the AMCA will be free of third-party components, which ensures it will be immune from potential third-party sanctions.

What are the benefits of the Rolls-Royce and Reliance partnership?

The partnership between Rolls-Royce and Reliance aims to combine Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced propulsion with Reliance’s industrial and manufacturing capabilities to jointly develop the AMCA engine in India. This collaboration is intended to support India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in defence technology and aircraft propulsion, and to create a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)…

Will the AMCA Mk2 variant use the GE F414 engine?

The GE F414 engine is planned to power the AMCA Mk-1 and the first two to four squadrons of the aircraft. However, India is exploring other engine options for the AMCA Mk2, including partnerships with European manufacturers, with the long-term goal of equipping later variants with a new powerplant offering greater Indian ownership and technological control.

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About the Author

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien…Read More

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