Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Rolls-Royce on Friday announced partnership for designing, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.As part of the proposed partnership, the companies will explore setting up a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India as a centre of excellence for power and propulsion technology.The proposed alliance will combine Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced propulsion and engine technology with Reliance’s manufacturing, technology and execution capabilities, the companies said in a joint statement.The partnership is aimed at building an end-to-end Indian capability covering the design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support of aero-engines.“India’s strategic autonomy requires sovereign capability in critical technologies,” Anant Ambani, executive director, Reliance Industries, said. He added that the partnership aims to build an indigenous aero-engine ecosystem in India and develop a national capability in advanced propulsion technologies.Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç said, “Together, with our existing partnerships and capabilities in India, this marks a major milestone towards building a robust, self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in the country."The companies said the proposed Aero Gas Turbine Complex could also create opportunities for wider collaboration in defence, civil aerospace, and new power and propulsion systems.The partnership comes as India seeks to strengthen domestic capabilities in critical defence technologies and reduce dependence on imports. It is also aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push to indigenise defence manufacturing and develop advanced propulsion capabilities within the country.The companies did not disclose the proposed investment or timeline for setting up the complex.