India has made a massive aircraft order that is one of the largest in aviation history. Carrier Air India says it will buy about 470 planes from US company Boeing and French firm Airbus in a deal worth 80 billion dollars.

India's biggest airline says the first of the new fleet will enter service in late 2023. The mega deals underline the ambitious vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost the country's standing in the aviation industry.

In the announcement on Tuesday(February 14), Modi told French President Emmanuel Macron that India will become the world's third-largest aviation market.

"Today's historic announcement will help us take a big step toward meeting our growing demand," Modi said.

The landmark orders are part of a push to strengthen economic and strategic ties with the US and France.

India is also trying to showcase itself as one of the fastest growing major economies ahead of hosting the G20 summits this year.(NHK)