[1/4] An Indian Air Force (IAF) light combat aircraft "Tejas" flies during the "Aero India 2021" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 3, 2021. Indian carriers may buy 1,500 to 1,700 aircraft in coming years, CAPA said, including Air India and IndiGo. MILITARY, COMMERCIAL COMPETITION"The days of foreign companies selling directly to India are over," a defence industry source told Reuters. At the same time, airlines like Air India are seeking to go head-on with rivals like Emirates Airline (EMIRA.UL) for a bigger share of international passenger flow. India's pressing military air need is to shore up its fighter squadrons, which have fallen to 31 from the approved 42 as political and bureaucratic hurdles and lack of funds delay purchases.

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