Bengaluru: Global aircraft engines behemoth Rolls-Royce opened a Defence Service Delivery (SDC), the first of its kind in Asia, in Bengaluru on Thursday to provide engineering support to improve frontline capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy, and leverage local talent later on to participate in defence projects.
The SDC, co-located along with the Rolls-Royce Engineering Centre, has been modelled after the one established at Royal Air Force, Marham, UK, and for the US Navy in Kingsville. The support system facilitates engineering and services staff to work in collaboration with the services to increase efficiency and communication. It was inaugurated by Mr Dominic McAllister, British Deputy High Commissioner, Bengaluru.
The SDC will offer the defence forces services such as fleet management, services engineering, and supply chain coordination. It will also be the base from where field service representatives could rush to frontline bases to provide on-ground technical support for more than 750 aircraft engines which power a wide array of aircraft such as the Jaguar, the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), the HS-748, the C-130J, Embraer 145 and the Sea King. It will also be able to support new engine fleets.
In addition, the SDC will support HAL through a state-of-the-art supply chain management which will combine with improved indigenous support for manufacture, assembly and test and repair capabilities.
Soon after the inauguration, Lee Doherty, Senior Vice President (Defence), Asia Pacific, Rolls-Royce, told the media: "The opening of our first SDC in India demonstrates our commitment to be closer to our customers to ensure they get the best possible aftermarket support and outstanding customer service which they have come to expect from us."
Explaining the significance of SDC in the context of the country's growing aerospace capabilities, Mr Kishore Jayaraman, President-India & South Asia, Rolls-Royce, said "It (opening of SDC) demonstrates our commitment to support India's growth capabilities by encouraging knowledge transfer, building highly skilled teams and developing the Indian aerospace ecosystem. The SDC will provide Indian solutions to Indian customers."
