NEW DELHI: The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notifiedCongress on April 22, 2010 of the possible sale of ten Boeing C-17Globemaster III aircraft to the Indian Air Force. This is an important step forward in the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process and is a necessary prerequisite to negotiations on the deal.
After hearing of the notification, U.S. Ambassador to India TimothyJ. Roemer said, “The potential sale of C-17s strengthens the growingpartnership between our two countries, and demonstrates our enduringcommitment to sharing theworld’s best technology with India. This sale will offer economicbenefits for both India and the United States and will likely includesignificant job creation in both countries. India is a leading partnerin our efforts to promote regional stability, peace and economicgrowth.”
The C-17 is the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force transport fleet and has proven highly reliable in the harsh environments of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Indian AirForce will use the C-17s to modernize India’s armed forces with newcargo capabilities. With a payload of 164,900 pounds, the C-17 can takeoff from a 7,000-foot airfield, fly 2,400 nautical miles, and land on a small, austere airfield in 3,000 feet or less.
In addition to the U.S. Air Force, the C-17 is currently in service with the British Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Canadian Forces, NATO and Qatar, with C-17s on order for the UAE. .
Although the official notification to Congress lists the potentialvalue as $5.8 billion, this represents the highest possible estimatefor the sale, and includes all potential services offered. The actual cost will be based on Indian Air Force requirements and has yet to be negotiated.
