Aero India off to a flying start 9 Photos . Updated: 15 Feb 2017, 03:38 PM IST Livemint The 11th edition of the Aero India, Asia's biggest aviation show, which started in Bengaluru on Tuesday, is one of the largest in recent years, with a focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative. In images 1/9Skycat—Scandinavian Air Show—aerobatics teams performing at the 11th edition of Aero India, Bengaluru on Tuesday. Photos: Hemant Mishra/Mint. 2/9Defence minister Manohar Parrikar (centre), who inaugurated the Aero Show, says that whoever bags the next big fighter jet deal will have to set up a facility in India and produce those planes under the proposed strategic partnership model—with no exceptions granted. 3/9Indian Air Force’s Light Combat aircraft Tejas Fighter jets at the air show on Tuesday. The highlight of the show at the city’s Yelahanka Air Force Station will be fighter jets that make up a large part of the 72 aircraft being showcased. 4/9The Russian Sukhoi 30MKI at the show. 5/9The air display began with Mi-17 helicopters trooping in the Indian tricolour, Indian Air Force and Aero India flags on Tuesday. 6/9Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with the first ever Active Electronic Scanning Array radar, and LUH were displayed for the very first time at the Aero show. 7/9A Rafale fighter jet made by French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA at the show. India bought 36 of these aircraft for an estimated $8.9 billion last year in a deal that has been negotiated several times over the years. 8/9The five-day show will have exhibitors and delegates from the US, France, UK, Russia, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Ukraine, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, South Africa, Italy, the UAE, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Poland and Greece. 9/9Around 270 Indian and 279 foreign firms are slated to participate in the event where some major companies, including Airbus and Boeing Co, are expected to sign deals under the Make in India banner.