India to buy six more C-17 airlifters from US

[dee]

New Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will buy six more C 17 Globemaster III transport aircraft in addition to the 10 already being acquired.




Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has told India Strategic that these aircraft would also be purchased through the Government-to-Government route under the US Government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

The US Air Force (USAF), which is the nodal agency for the aircraft sale in this case, has already demonstrated the capability of the C 17, and met the IAF requirements. One C 17 was also brought to India in June, and was made to land and take off from a short field in Himachal as also from Leh in Jammu & Kashmir.

Discussions between the two governments to finalise the IAF’s onboard equipment requirements, spares and service support and their duration – possibly over the lifetime of the aircraft – are still being held but likely to be finalized soon.

The C 17 can ferry more than 70 tonnes of load over long distances, and can also be refueled midair. IAF has categorized it as the Very Heavy Transport Aircraft (VHTAC) in its list of requirements.

At present, India has less than 20 Il 76 heavy lift aircraft, acquired from the Soviet Union in 1985. With a capacity of 45 tonnes, the IL 76 can ferry around 45 tonnes. It is being upgraded to obtain a life extension of 10-15 years.

The IL 76 has served the IAF well, giving its strategic capability for the first time in the 1980s. India could effectively assist the Maldives Government in 1988 against a coup attempt, and Air Marshal Ashok Goel, then a young officer and now India Strategic’s Editor Aviation, was among the first to land this aircraft at Hulule near the Maldivian capital of Male.

Russia does not make the IL 76 any more although there are reported plans by Moscow to possibly restart its production lines, which were earlier spread across the Soviet Union’s Central Asian constituents (which are now independent).

Asked if IAF would buy more C 17s, Air Chief Marshal Naik said that a decision could only be taken after some time, depending upon the requirement.




..:: India Strategic ::.. Indian Air Force: India to buy six more C-17 airlifters from US

 

[Neither Right Nor Wrong]

more??..when did we buy C-17 before??

 

[British_Bangladeshi]

congratulations to India, wishing you all the best.

 

[garibnawaz]

The question remains on more.

When did we ordered the batch?

Unless the article is confused between C-17 and C-130J.

GB

 

[British_Bangladeshi]

Is the C-130 similiar to the AC-130?

 

[desiman]

Is the C-130 similiar to the AC-130?

similar structural constraints but totally different uses, C-130 is a heavy lift aircraft where the AC-130 is for more of a strategic assistance role.

 

[British_Bangladeshi]

similar structural constraints but totally different uses, C-130 is a heavy lift aircraft where the AC-130 is for more of a strategic assistance role.

I have seen the AC-130 in action and its quite good, is it expensive?

 

[desiman]

I have seen the AC-130 in action and its quite good, is it expensive?

2 times the price and 50% more maintenance cost. Its not really required by the IAF, its doctrines are totally different. It is an awesome aircraft but not required at the moment by the IAF.

 

[sancho]

more??..when did we buy C-17 before??

Never, we asked for an RFP but we didn't bought them yet and if it's true that they cost about $550 millions each, we shouldn't go for them anyway!
For each of them, we could also buy a new IL 476 and a A330 MRTT, especially the tankers are more important for the stratigic role than the C17s alone.

 

[desiman]

Never, we asked for an RFP but we didn't bought them yet and if it's true that they cost about $550 millions each, we shouldn't go for them anyway!
For each of them, we could also buy a new IL 476 and a A330 MRTT, especially the tankers are more important for the stratigic role than the C17s alone.

C-17's are one of the best aircrafts for the role they play. Very easy to maintain and very reliable they offer a nice boost for India's heavy lift capabilities. Air Forces are not just defined by attack aircrafts but by their ability to project their power over a specific region. Without a adequate and reliable heavy lift aircraft no airforce can assist a ground thrust by the army or even ferry in resources when needed. These are expensive but very badly needed, we need to diversify our procurement, cannot rely on Russia for everything.

 

[Donatello]

New Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will buy six more C 17 Globemaster III transport aircraft in addition to the 10 already being acquired.




Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has told India Strategic that these aircraft would also be purchased through the Government-to-Government route under the US Government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

The US Air Force (USAF), which is the nodal agency for the aircraft sale in this case, has already demonstrated the capability of the C 17, and met the IAF requirements. One C 17 was also brought to India in June, and was made to land and take off from a short field in Himachal as also from Leh in Jammu & Kashmir.

Discussions between the two governments to finalise the IAF’s onboard equipment requirements, spares and service support and their duration – possibly over the lifetime of the aircraft – are still being held but likely to be finalized soon.

The C 17 can ferry more than 70 tonnes of load over long distances, and can also be refueled midair. IAF has categorized it as the Very Heavy Transport Aircraft (VHTAC) in its list of requirements.

At present, India has less than 20 Il 76 heavy lift aircraft, acquired from the Soviet Union in 1985. With a capacity of 45 tonnes, the IL 76 can ferry around 45 tonnes. It is being upgraded to obtain a life extension of 10-15 years.

The IL 76 has served the IAF well, giving its strategic capability for the first time in the 1980s. India could effectively assist the Maldives Government in 1988 against a coup attempt, and Air Marshal Ashok Goel, then a young officer and now India Strategic’s Editor Aviation, was among the first to land this aircraft at Hulule near the Maldivian capital of Male.

Russia does not make the IL 76 any more although there are reported plans by Moscow to possibly restart its production lines, which were earlier spread across the Soviet Union’s Central Asian constituents (which are now independent).

Asked if IAF would buy more C 17s, Air Chief Marshal Naik said that a decision could only be taken after some time, depending upon the requirement.




..:: India Strategic ::.. Indian Air Force: India to buy six more C-17 airlifters from US

Is the first batch confirmed??

 

[flanker143]

i think iaf is going for c 17s bcoz they hav a 70t payload and can also operate from shorter runways(short take off and landing)...... and il 76 does not have any of the above capability..

 

[deckingraj]

C-17's are one of the best aircrafts for the role they play. Very easy to maintain and very reliable they offer a nice boost for India's heavy lift capabilities. Air Forces are not just defined by attack aircrafts but by their ability to project their power over a specific region. Without a adequate and reliable heavy lift aircraft no airforce can assist a ground thrust by the army or even ferry in resources when needed. These are expensive but very badly needed, we need to diversify our procurement, cannot rely on Russia for everything.

To Diversify is a good thing but there has to be some cost justification as well...We are doing good economically yet we should all keep in mind that about 300 million people do sleep empty stomach...Every penny needs to be spend wisely and if there is something out in the market which can do the job then we should buy those then having a capability which we might need as per our doctrine....

 

[desiman]

To Diversify is a good thing but there has to be some cost justification as well...We are doing good economically yet we should all keep in mind that about 300 million people do sleep empty stomach...Every penny needs to be spend wisely and if there is something out in the market which can do the job then we should buy those then having a capability which we might need as per our doctrine....

if one was to go by that thinking then a nation will never progress. Yes we do have poverty but we are working on it. Poverty cannot be removed overnight and there has to be a long term plan in place to reduce the number of underprivileged people in our society. The Indian government alongside many private enterprises are working hard and results are there, we need another 20 years to bring everyone upto a certain level but that does not mean we put aside protecting our nation. India is surrounded by hostile and dangerous nations and needs to put its security as a top priority. Even as per Carl Jung's required basic human rights, safety comes right after food and therefore its crucial that all forces be modernized and be given the best there is. Other issues will be taken care of as time progress, no need to politicize this issue.

 

[anathema]

Never, we asked for an RFP but we didn't bought them yet and if it's true that they cost about $550 millions each, we shouldn't go for them anyway!
For each of them, we could also buy a new IL 476 and a A330 MRTT, especially the tankers are more important for the stratigic role than the C17s alone.

I totally agree with you !!! To me it doesn't justify the cost ... Instead of C17's ...we could have easily brought upto maybe 20 IL76 and still had cash left with us ....also we know IL76 , we have been maintaining it for decades -- it really would have been a better choice for us.