Strengthening India’s role in the global aerospace supply chain, Rolls-Royce has signed a strategic agreement with Bharat Forge Limited to manufacture and supply fan blades for the company’s next-generation Pearl 700 and Pearl 10X engines. The partnership, formalised at Rolls-Royce’s Dahlewitz facility near Berlin, Germany, represents a deepening of the long-standing collaboration between the two engineering giants and reflects the British engine maker’s intent to double its sourcing from India by the end of this decade.
This collaboration underscores Rolls-Royce’s continued investment in building “in-country capabilities” through key local partnerships and technological collaborations that align with India’s Make in India initiative. With this agreement, Bharat Forge, one of the world’s leading suppliers of precision-forged and machined aerospace components, will now play an expanded role in the manufacturing of advanced fan blades used in Rolls-Royce’s cutting-edge Pearl engine family.
A new milestone in Indo-UK industrial cooperation
Sashi Mukundan, Executive Vice President (Transformation) at Rolls-Royce India, hailed the agreement as a reflection of the company’s long-term commitment to India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
“Rolls-Royce is delighted to deepen its partnership with Bharat Forge towards advancing the ‘Make in India’ vision. This new contract reflects our commitment to developing world-class manufacturing capabilities in India, with a shared vision of delivering state-of-the-art aerospace components to the global supply chain ecosystem,” Mukundan said.
The agreement also expands Bharat Forge’s scope from its previous work on the Pearl 700 to now include the Pearl 10X engine, the latest in Rolls-Royce’s advanced business aviation engine lineup. The Pearl 10X is designed to power the Dassault Falcon 10X, a state-of-the-art long-range business jet, and represents a significant technological leap in fuel efficiency and performance.
A legacy of collaboration since 2020
Rolls-Royce and Bharat Forge began their collaboration in 2020 with the Pearl 700 programme. Over the years, Bharat Forge has developed and supplied critical components to Rolls-Royce with industry-leading precision and reliability.
After years of rigorous quality improvements and technological advancements, Bharat Forge achieved a key milestone in 2024 when it successfully delivered its first “zero-defect” fan blade for the Pearl 700 engine, an achievement that not only showcased the company’s engineering excellence but also strengthened its reputation in the global aerospace market.
With this new agreement, the Indian engineering conglomerate is now set to contribute to Rolls-Royce’s upcoming propulsion systems, marking a new chapter in the localisation of advanced aerospace manufacturing.
Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, emphasised the shared commitment to engineering excellence and innovation that underpins the partnership.
“This expanded partnership with Rolls-Royce reflects our shared commitment to engineering excellence and long-term collaboration. We are proud to support the Pearl engine family, which represents the future of high-performance aviation,” Kalyani stated.
Building an aerospace future in India
Rolls-Royce’s growing partnerships in India are part of its global strategy to diversify and strengthen its supply chain while harnessing India’s world-class engineering talent. The company, which has had a presence in India for over 90 years, plays a crucial role in powering the country’s defence and civil aviation ecosystem.
Currently, more than 1,400 Rolls-Royce engines power a range of aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army. The company’s Indian ecosystem employs over 4,000 professionals, including 2,800 highly skilled engineers who contribute to design, research, and development programmes for global aviation projects.
Rolls-Royce’s collaboration with Bharat Forge aligns with its broader vision of transforming India from a sourcing destination to a full-fledged partner in aerospace design, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
India as a global manufacturing hub
The announcement comes amid a wave of major foreign investments in India’s industrial and automotive sectors. In a parallel development, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) unveiled an ambitious Rs 45,000 crore investment plan through FY2030, aiming to make India its second-largest global market.
This trend reflects a growing confidence among global manufacturers in India’s policy environment, skilled workforce, and expanding domestic demand base. For Rolls-Royce, the collaboration with Bharat Forge is not just about cost optimisation, it represents a strategic investment in technological self-reliance and resilience in its supply chain.
The move also aligns with India’s larger goal to position itself as a key player in the global aerospace ecosystem. According to industry experts, partnerships like Rolls-Royce-Bharat Forge could pave the way for indigenous development of critical aerospace technologies, including materials science, turbine innovation, and component precision engineering.
A step toward Atmanirbharta
The agreement is expected to bring several long-term benefits for India’s aerospace manufacturing sector. Bharat Forge’s involvement in producing fan blades for Rolls-Royce’s Pearl 700 and 10X engines will not only enhance its global credibility but also boost India’s export capabilities in high-precision aerospace components.
Moreover, the partnership is anticipated to generate skilled employment and drive upskilling in niche areas such as metallurgy, 3D manufacturing, and high-precision engineering, areas critical to India’s aerospace ambitions.
By 2030, Rolls-Royce plans to double its supply chain sourcing from India, a goal that will depend heavily on collaborations like this. With major Indian companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems, and Bharat Forge increasingly integrating into global aerospace value chains, India is steadily emerging as a hub for high-end aerospace production and innovation.
India’s aerospace footprint
The Rolls-Royce-Bharat Forge partnership represents a model for successful global-local collaboration, melding British engineering heritage with Indian manufacturing prowess. It reinforces the strategic importance of India in Rolls-Royce’s global operations and signals a broader shift toward localized, sustainable, and technologically advanced manufacturing.
As Bharat Forge takes on a bigger role in supplying components for the Pearl engine family, the collaboration stands as a testament to India’s rise as a trusted player in high-precision aerospace manufacturing.
In the years to come, this partnership could well serve as a cornerstone for future collaborations, further propelling India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in advanced aviation technology.
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