Boeing today announced that India has signed an agreement to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. Indian Air Force (IAF) will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.
“The C-17 will elevate India’s leadership in the region,” said Dinesh Keskar, president, Boeing India. “With its tactical and strategic capabilities, the C-17 fulfills India’s needs for military and humanitarian airlift. The important transaction reaffirms our close relationship of several decades with India and also highlights our commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries.”
“Boeing is pleased that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has selected the C-17 to support its airlift mission,” said Mark Kronenberg, vice president of International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “We look forward to partnering with India as we move forward with the agreement’s 30 percent offset program, which will help strengthen India’s aerospace and defense capabilities.”
During rigorous field evaluation trials in India in June 2010, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III met all of the IAF’s airlift requirements.
A tactical and strategic airlifter, the C-17 can land combat-ready troops in remote locations or airdrop them directly where needed. The C-17’s ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a maximum payload of 164,900 pounds (74,797 kg), the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or less.
Boeing has delivered 232 C-17s worldwide, including 22 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of 210 C-17s. Other customers include the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations, and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence.
Source: Boeing
Image: (c) Boeing
