In a boost for the Indian Air Force's strategic airlift capabilities, Boeing on Monday delivered the 11th C-17 Globemaster III. Last year, the government had approved the Indian Air Force's proposal to buy three more C-17 Globemaster aircraft at a cost of Rs 8,100 crore. According to the original contract of 2011, worth $4.7 billion, for the delivery of 10 C-17 aircraft, India had an optional clause to purchase six additional C-17s over its initial order. But the funds crunch delayed the Indian Air Force's plan for a follow-on order.
Since induction into the Indian Air Force fleet in 2013, the C-17 fleet has been a vital part of its strategic and combat airlift capability. Deployed with the Sky Lords Squadron based in Hindon Air Force Station in the National Capital Region, C-17s have performed a wide range of operations in military missions, and provided peacekeeping support, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in India and internationally.
In 2016, the C-17 made a historic landing on a short 4,200-foot runway of the high-altitude Mechuka Advanced Air Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh, just 29km from the Indo-China border, a move that demonstrated the Indian Air Force's ability to reach the remotest parts of the country.
The C-17 Globemaster III is a premier transporter for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft can carry large combat equipment, troops and humanitarian aid across long distances, directly to austere airfields anywhere in the world, in all-weather conditions.
According to a statement issued by Boeing, the company has been maintaining the Indian Air Force's C-17 fleet through techno-logistics support and training for the aircrew that operate the platform.
"The C-17 fleet has maintained high serviceability rates since its induction. Boeing is responsible for maintenance, field-support services, modifications and upgrades, technical manual support and logistics engineering services," Boeing said in its statement.
The statement added Boeing’s C-17 Simulator Training Center, established in 2016, provides training services to the IAF, and has completed over 5,100 hours of training for aircrew and loadmasters. The facility has also maintained a serviceability state of nearly 100 per cent since its inception.
"With this delivery, there are 275 operable Boeing-built C-17s around the globe. Boeing plans to sustain them to ensure they meet the mission at hand," Boeing further said.
