WASHINGTON, Dec 25: The United States will display its frontline F-16 jet fighters for the first time in the coming Aero India international air show which begins in Bangalore on Feb 9.

Several American aerospace firms like Lockheed Martin, Northrop and Boeing Corp will participate in the show with an aim to stir India's interests in their products.

India, which is one of the largest buyers of weapons in the world, stayed out of their reach because of the US sanctions imposed after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests. The sanctions were lifted in 2002.

Seventy-eight aviation companies from 25 countries are expected to participate in the five-day mega event.

The US will also display its maritime surveillance aircraft Orion PC-3, which it is planning to sell to both India and Pakistan, while the US Army will bring a helicopter.

India will showcase its aircraft design capabilities in the three home-grown aircraft - Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Intermediate Jet Trainer. The Indian Air Force will also display its Surya Kiran aerobatic and Saran helicopter aerobatic team.

Air force chiefs of 12 countries including China, Egypt, Japan, Sweden, Vietnam and Germany have confirmed their participation in the event, organized to showcase India's prowess in the aviation field.