IAF starts inducting C-17 heavy-lift transport planes

Indian Air Force will, on Monday, formally induct its biggest, 70-tonne C-17, heavy-lift transport aircraft into service as part of a programme to strengthen its strike capability.

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas.

Defence minister A K Antony will formally induct the heavy lift aircraft at the Hindon Air Force base near Delhi, which is capable of swiftly transporting combat troops and equipment such as tanks to the front.

The C-17s, procured from the US under a deal estimated to cost more than Rs20,000 crore, will form the 81 'Skylord' Squadron, IAF officials said.

Under a deal signed with the US Air Force in 2011, IAF will get at least ten such aircraft and three of them have already been delivered.

The US Air Force will complete the delivery of all the 10 aircraft by the end of next year. IAF has the option of procuring an additional six planes for its fleet.

The C-17, which is capable of carrying around 80 tonnes of load and around 150 fully geared troops, will replace IAF's existing inventory of Russia-made Il-76, at the Hindon Air Base, near Delhi.

The Il-76 is capable of carrying loads of up to around 40 tonnes. Induction of the C-17 and the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft will significantly enhance the IAF's capabilities.

The IAF already operates six C-130Js and has plans to procure six more for operations on small and rough terrains. Besides, it has a fleet of the Russian Antonov-32 in its inventory.

The C-17s are force multipliers, which would help IAF to enhance the operational potential and strategic reach even during disaster relief or any similar missions.