Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fourth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III has departed for India from Long Beach, US, keeping the company is on track to deliver five advanced airlifters to IAF this year.
Boeing will deliver five more C-17s to India in 2014 to complete the contract.
IAF has recently used the C-17s for Cyclone Phailin relief efforts. Since its first flight in 1991, the C-17 has amassed more than 2.6 million flying hours airlifting troops and large cargo, delivering humanitarian supplies by precision airdrop, and performing lifesaving aeromedical missions.
Boeing will complete the production of the C-17 Globemaster III in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition to the remaining C-17s for India, the company will build 15 more for customers outside the United States.
Boeing has delivered 258 C-17s, including 223 to the US Air Force and 35 to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
amritanair.ghaswalla@thehindu.co.in