India is scouting for billions of dollars’ worth of military planes, completing jetliner deals to meet civilian demand and pressing global aircraft manufacturers to produce more locally at a major air show today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Asia's largest aero show, Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru. The 14th edition of the event will display indigenous equipment and technologies to forge partnerships with foreign companies. Nearly 809 companies from 98 countries are taking part in the event.

Flanked by nuclear-armed rivals China and Pakistan, India has the world's fourth-largest air force but its largely Soviet-era fleet is in desperate need of modernizing. It also wants planes for aircraft carriers to balance China's growing power in the Indian Ocean.

Indian airlines are expanding, with Air India expected to announce a potentially record deal to buy nearly 500 jets from Airbus SE (AIR.PA) and Boeing Co (BA.N), worth more than $100 billion at list prices.

IndiGo, the country's biggest carrier and a top Airbus client, could be next, with aviation consultant CAPA India predicting it will make a blockbuster order of a similar scale as Air India's.

Indian carriers may buy 1,500 to 1,700 aircraft in coming years, CAPA said, including Air India and IndiGo.

The airshow will be military-dominated but also feature India's efforts to accommodate a domestic travel boom and rebuild its brand abroad.

Modi has made "Make-in-India" a centrepiece of his economic policy, insisting that manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), Boeing and Airbus share technology or make more than parts in the country.