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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has drawn on Qatar’s pearl-diving heritage and Britain’s maritime traditions to create bespoke designs that transform luxury vehicles into stories of culture, craftsmanship and individuality.The designs were showcased at an exclusive event at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha showroom, highlighting how traditional maritime influences can inspire contemporary automotive artistry.Michelle Lusby, bespoke lead designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Private Office in Dubai, said that the Phantom Emerald and Cullinan Emerald showcase how the company draws on the historical significance of shipbuilding and pearl diving in the Middle East.**media[506734]**“We are here in Qatar to showcase some of our bespoke projects,” she said, describing designs inspired by the region’s maritime heritage and Britain’s fishing and shipping industries.The concept draws on two traditional vessels: the Arabic *sambuk, closely associated with pearl diving and maritime trade in the Gulf, and the Brixham trawler, which represents Britain’s fishing heritage.Lusby said that the two influences helped shape the design direction, connecting the vehicles’ visual identity with the histories of the regions that inspired them.One standout feature is the Phantom Emerald’s two-tone exterior, combining a vibrant red upper section with a warm, off-white golden shade.According to Lusby, the red recalls the sails of traditional Brixham trawlers, while the lighter finish reflects the aesthetic of traditional boats in the Middle East.Attention to detail continues inside the vehicles, where bespoke marquetry features imagery of the vessels at the front and rear.Mother-of-pearl marquetry further celebrates the material’s association with the Gulf’s pearl-diving past.**media[506735]**“On the interior, we’ve looked at adding these beautiful bespoke touches using marquetry, showcasing both of the ships in the front and the rear of the interior, as well as mother-of-pearl marquetry,” Lusby said.The presentation also featured bespoke material samples, offering visitors a glimpse into the craftspeople's work turning individual concepts into finished automotive details.Lusby said that the company’s bespoke team was particularly busy with projects across the Middle East, where clients could develop personal commissions reflecting their interests, stories and heritage.Rolls-Royce builds vehicles at Goodwood in West Sussex, on England’s south coast, a location Lusby said also informed the maritime inspiration behind the designs.For Lusby, the showcase was ultimately an invitation for clients to explore their own creative ideas.“We really inspire our clients to do their own commissions and their beautiful creations,” she said.The event demonstrated how bespoke automotive design can bridge cultures, bringing together Qatar’s pearl-diving legacy and Britain’s maritime history through materials, colours and craftsmanship. 

India's Reliance Industries and Britain's Rolls-Royce announced have plans to jointly design and manufacture engines for the south Asian country's multirole indigenous fighter jet programme. Reliance Industries Limited, India's largest private sector company, has been expanding into defence production in military aerospace and advanced munitions to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" initiative. New Delhi, one of the world's largest arms importers, has made the modernisation of its defence forces a top priority, with repeated pushes to boost domestic production. Rolls-Royce builds engines for commercial use by the world's biggest aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, as well as for fighter jets. The pair of industry giants issued a joint statement announcing "their strategic intent to partner and offer capabilities for the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme". The statement did not reveal the scale of investment the two companies will make for the partnership. The AMCA is India's flagship fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter jet, developed locally for its air force. The partnership "marks a major milestone towards building a robust, self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in the country," the statement quoted Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic as saying. "Together, we aim to build an enduring national capability that can make India self-reliant and, over time, globally competitive in advanced propulsion technologies," said Reliance Executive Director Anant Ambani. India under Modi has prioritised modernisation of its military "driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told soldiers on Friday on the eve of the country's 80th independence day.Last month India approved the purchase of a range of military equipment worth $5.46bn, including missiles, electronic warfare systems and suicide drones.New Delhi over the last decade has sought to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment, turning to other countries like the US and France, as well as boosting domestic production. India is also rapidly modernising its navy with domestic production of ships and submarines. Earlier this year the government approved the purchase of $39bn worth of defence equipment, including Rafale jets from France.India's current defence budget is $85bn.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, facilitated by the British embassy in Qatar, welcomed senior representatives from the UK’s Department for Transport, led by deputy director (International Relations) Simon Argyle, during an official visit to the showroom at The Pearl Island. The engagement served to further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the UK and Qatar, two nations united by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of ultra-luxury mobility. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha general manager Ayman Berjawi and his team provided the delegation an exclusive tour of the showroom, offering them a first-hand look at the marque’s latest portfolio, including the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé. Spectre embodies the marque’s bold transition to electrification, combining effortless power, silent performance, and bespoke artistry. “We were delighted to welcome Mr Argyle and the delegation from the UK Department for Transport to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha,” Berjawi said. “This visit represents more than a meeting of minds; it is a reflection of our shared dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the enduring values of British craftsmanship.” “As we continue our journey towards an all-electric future, Spectre stands as a true expression of the marque’s vision for the future of ultra-luxury mobility,” he said. Argyle expressed his appreciation for the valuable insights and perspectives provided by the Rolls-Royce Doha team, particularly around electrification and the luxury automotive market. He commended the marque’s unwavering attention to detail, unique levels of personalisation, and leadership in sustainable innovation of both the vehicles and manufacturing operations, highlighting the development of the all-electric motor car, Spectre, and the environmental efforts at the home of Rolls-Royce. These qualities continue to define Rolls-Royce as the pinnacle of luxury, Argyle said, adding that the visit reaffirmed the enduring connection between the UK and Qatar, celebrating a mutual vision for progress, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of perfection.