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| PHOTO / BOEING DEFENSE |
LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 23, 2013 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Jan. 22 delivered — on schedule — the first of 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters for the Indian Air Force (IAF). India’s first C-17 will now enter a U.S. Air Force flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, Calif. Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.
“The C-17 met the stipulated airlift requirements of the Indian Air Force when it flew field evaluation trials in India during June 2010,” said Air Commodore Sanjay Nimesh, Air Attaché at the Embassy of India. “It was exciting to see the C-17 fly again, this time with Indian Air Force markings, as the airlifter completed its first-flight milestone on Jan. 11. We look forward to the day that the first IAF C-17 flies over India.”
“The C-17’s ability to operate in extremely hot and cold climates; transport large payloads across vast ranges; and land on short, austere runways makes it ideal for India’s airlift needs,” said Nan Bouchard, Boeing vice president and C-17 program manager. “We value our continued partnership with India and the U.S. government and will provide dedicated support as India’s first C-17 enters flight testing.”
India’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government on June 15, 2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the United States. The governments finalized the Foreign Military Sales contract for the airframe on June 6, 2012.
Boeing has delivered 250 C-17s worldwide, including 218 to the U.S. Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 32 C-17s have been delivered to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.
Boeing will support the IAF C-17 fleet through the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP) Performance-Based Logistics contract. The GISP “virtual fleet” arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale. This brings spares and support closer to the point of use and makes the C-17 more affordable to own and operate.
Excellent!! India should go in for more c-17's though (possibly 10+ more) to meet its strategic objectives in Asia.
question!!!
Does that 4+ billion price tag , includes life-cycle cost???
With US defence manufacturers, adhering to deliverys on time is commendable. P8i Neptune is on schedule likwise the 6 C130J having been delivered well ahead by Lockheed. Hope France sticks to the deadline.
Roundell looks different!!!!!
I am afraid the french deal is ill conceived , by allowing France to manufacture at-least 126 on its own , we can get them to install a new production line , while we first establish a base for maintenance and overhaul facilities , then go in assembly /production .
This deal has been signed just after the MMRCA competition, and we already have the first jet whereas we are still haggling with the French over petty issues.
IMO, we must dump the French and opt for F35 jets.
They are truley businessman man
No delay,No cost raising
Just business
F-35 , is worst , yes VTOL is good , but it can be "sorts" achieved from 3D trust vectoring ,
BUT
here is the good apart having a 100 Million jet on a single 20 million engine is a leap of faith . And goes beyond stupidity
Rafael is a excellent package , not only we familiar with the supplier and technology , it was designed to operate in varied theater from the start . A true Omni-role
Its just the deliver schedule is a far too loose
Why on earth the IAF uses such a ugly looking devanagari (Hindi) font.
@10:12 AM…
HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHA… Good Joke…
was it really necessary to buy these…??? we could have got at least 30 IL-76 s for 4 billion…also maintainence facilities are already available so no extra training costs….
They are nothing but original Indo-European fonts.
They are nothing but original Indo-European fonts.
what experts say about f-35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kssZua8MVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQB4W8C0rZI
Long Beach, Jan. 24 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received its first Boeing C-17 strategic airlifter for flight testing by the US Air Force (USAF).
The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devan?gar?: ?????? ???? ????, Bharatiya V?yu Sen?) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces.
India needs more than 10 C-17s. It's the most advanced and reliable cargo air lifter existing now. Please consider changing the ugly looking Hindi writing with better Hindi font and "Indian Air Force" in English.