According to the agreement, India 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.”
“This agreement is a reflection of the outstanding partnership India’s Ministry of Defence has with the U.S. Air Force, which worked very hard to help India strengthen its airlift capabilities with the C-17,” said Jean Chamberlin, vice president and general manager, Boeing Mobility. “The aircraft’s ability to transport large payloads across vast ranges, land on short, austere runways, and operate in extremely hot and cold climates makes it ideal for the region.”
Boeing will support India’s C-17 fleet through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a proven multinational Performance-Based Logistics program. The GSP “virtual fleet” arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers – with varied fleet sizes – access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale when purchasing materials.
“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, the C-17 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 – including active National Guard and Reserve units – 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.
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. DeNoris Mickle: Airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron fly over South Carolina’s beaches from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., as a Boeing-built C-17 Globemaster III sheds a shadow on the water below.
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this deal was..really hasty
An excellent purchase.
Good and welcome news
As per Jane's price of C-17 is 198 million$s. Why are we paying more than double i.e. 410 million$ for each jet? Can you throw some light on this Shiv?
I presume IAF will send the Boeing press release to the Russian with a note to get with the program for the IL-76 or more is going to come.
Play the Russians off the Americans.
Further orders can include close to 8 more c-17 .
Any photos of Arjun mk II and IAC-1?
Phalcon AWACS
Air Chief Marshal disclosed that the last of the three Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems Aircraft) had arrived in India in March and deployed.
Two more AWACS mounted on IL 76 platforms had also been ordered.
http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1068.htm
"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."
It should be 50 not 30 as I remember ( As per new Defense Procurement Policy ).
And what we are getting more ? Some wind tunnel and high altitude facility for DRDO ? please some one clarify.
I will consider this purchase as good if they successfully airdrop Indian paratroopers at Gazni, Kandhar and even Baghdad in successful missions…
Shiv,
This is an incredible news, This is a direct purchase to counter China in my opinion. Boeing plans to deliever the aircrafts by 2014, Assuming India signs the following 6 + 8, India will have by 2016 24 C-17's, along with 18 IL-78 Transports ( plus another 6 refuelers), That is by 2016 India will have a Strategic lift more than 4 times, its current state. A total of 42 Aircrafts, By 2020, I expect India to be retiring the IL-78's,and further replacing them with another batch 24 C-17's. That is a tremendous boost in the next 3-4 years. Congrats IAF, It will keep our north east supplied!
@Anon 5.50
India entered a FMS contract which is essentially a "no-kickbacks" and "no-haggling" price. And yes, there is a 6% (or is it 3%) payment to the Pentagon for facilitating the sale. And yes, Boeing is setting up a wind tunnel testing facility and a high-altitude testing set-up in the country. The aircraft cost $3 Bill, everything else added it up to $4.1 Billion.
The current Air Chief, P.V Naik is a very strong proponent of Off-the-shelf foreign platforms. Hopefully, we won't have a repeat of the AN-TPQ radars which we bought after Kargil. None of the 6 radars bought work and the US won't bring pressure on the vendor to get them to work. $200 Mill down the drain. Hope this time, money does not go down the drain.
Tats
i would like to know how protected they are from enemy attacks because they are so large and easy to shoot down.
They Will eventually buy 24 C-17s and replace the entire IL-76 fleet.IAF will become the largest overseas operator of the globe master.
Finally GOI woken up !
India is set to decide on possibly the world's biggest combat aircraft deal of this decade as well as those for new combat, utility and heavy-lift helicopters within the next few weeks or months, but all within 2011.
Government set to decide major military aircraft deals
How many of them will be made in India ?
Anon 7.10AM
Thanks, you have cleared my doubts.
India should also acquire the An124 Condor for movement of heavier eqps. All Russian transport planes are known for their ruggedness. A combination of C130, C17 and An124 will add a punch to our cold start strategy.
India Airlift Increases
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2011/110616ae_c-130j-india-airlift.html
India Selects Pilatus Basic Trainer
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=AviationWeek.com&id=news/awx/2011/06/16/awx_06_16_2011_p0-336768.xml&headline=India%20Selects%20Pilatus%20Basic%20Trainer
@shiv
a very interesting article
http://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/06/15/indias-fighter-fetish/
it picks out points countering Ashley J Tellis on his views on MMRCA selection
Joydeep Ghosh
hi shiv
i can across Surya project a while back when i gooogled 'indian icbm'…from then on have gone through every possible discussion and news report…but the no one seems to have any credible report or any knowledge about its existence.
I would like to know your opinion on this topic(i mean on surya icbm)
Anon 6:23 PM
Your suggestion of playing Russians against Americans is ridiculous. Imagine if Russians start playing us against Porkis and Chinese. Russians will always remain India's friends, but our buying preference is changing because our priorities are changing…that's it.
Russia is already playing us off the Chinese. Do you know how many billions of $ of arms Russia sold to China in the last decade?
Russia has sold more arms to China than to India! Including aircraft carrier, subs, tanks, jet aircraft.
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