Collaboration is Key
Combat engine technology is one of the critical areas of development on the path of self-reliance. Our experience with global programmes has shown that collaboration is crucial for such development to be accelerated. A global collaboration enables supply chain resilience, defence and security interoperability, and volumes for optimising capital allocation.
India and the UK are committed to deepen defence cooperation as a key pillar of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and have taken significant strides towards strengthening this dialogue. Recent bilateral visits, engagements at the political and bureaucratic leadership and the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogues have focused on discussions regarding defence, security, and industrial cooperation, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration. The time is opportune to take this partnership to the next level through co-creation of both technology and capability that the UK is well-placed to offer.
Joint initiatives not only enhance the process and timelines of design and development, they also facilitate the practical transfer of expertise – the know-why, in addition to the transfer of technology, or the know-how. This approach ensures long-term benefits, particularly IP ownership, that will enable customization, autonomy, and capabilities for future defence programs.
A co-development initiative with the UK that focuses on capability creation in India would allow the country to control the manufacturing and production stages of the programme lifecycle. This will also enable the supply chain ecosystem and defence production capabilities in India the significant potential to generate job opportunities. Such collaboration will further enhance India’s competitiveness in the global defence market, in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
As part of this partnership with the UK Government, Rolls-Royce is keen to participate in co-development opportunities that will create both technology and capability in India, accelerating India’s vision of self-reliance in defence.