The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plans to equip its Anglo-French jet ground attack aircraft, Jaguar, with new engines have hit a hurdle with Rolls-Royce indicating that it may back out of the race to re-engine the aircraft.

Rolls-Royce’s decision will create a single-vendor scenario, slowing down the Jaguar’s re-engining programme as Indian defence procurement procedures do not approve the single-vendor situation.

The IAF issued tenders for 200 engines worth an estimated Rs30bn ($655m) to Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.

The two firms have been given until the end of February to respond to the tenders.

The IAF re-engining programme will cover four of the five Jaguar squadrons comprising over 60 of the fighter jets.