India To Acquire 16 C-17 Globemaster III Airlifters From U.S.

Titlu: India To Acquire 16 C-17 Globemaster III Airlifters From U.S.
Sursa: http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/06/dtn-news-india-defense-news-india-to.html
Autor: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources India Strategic & Boeing
Data: 02.06.2011

Citat :

India To Acquire 16 C-17 Globemaster III Airlifters From U.S.

**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. A deal for the aircraft and the package price is likely to be signed once the negotiaons are through.

Boeing says it can deliver the first couple of aircraft within two years after the agreement.

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. The IL 76 can ferry around 45 tonnes. Notably though, for all aircraft, the range has to be calculated in accordance with the load and fuel factors.

The aircraft is now being upgraded with Russian support to obtain a life extension of 10-15 years, Air Chief Marshal Naik said.

The IL 76 has served the IAF well, giving it 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 (and 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.

According to the Boeing company, the Indian Air Force would be the largest buyer of C 17s – despite the small number – after the US Air Force, which is buying 223 of these strategic global transport aircraft. USAF has already taken delivery of 200 C 17s, the last of them on July 30.

Titlu: Boeing to Build 10 C-17 Airlifters For Indian Air Force
Sursa: http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/06/dtn-news-india-defense-news-boeing-to.html
Autor: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
Data: 15.06.2011

Citat :

Boeing to Build 10 C-17 Airlifters For Indian Air Force

(NSI News Source Info) LONG BEACH, Calif., - June 15, 2011: Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that India’s Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The Foreign Military Sale -- approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2010 -- establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer.

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 2010, 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.

Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined, has significantly expanded its footprint in India both in the civil aviation and defense market. Boeing is partnering with India's leading technology and manufacturing companies to build a supply chain out of India. The company also has opened a Research and Technology center in Bengaluru to collaborate with India's technical talent for research in aero structures, materials and network systems. Boeing India's corporate office is located in New Delhi. For more information on Boeing India, visit www.boeing.co.in.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 65,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Jerry Drelling
Boeing Mobility Communications
+1 714-318-7594
jerry.a.drelling@boeing.com

Amrita Dhindsa
India Communications
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
+91-96546-06067
amrita.dhindsa@boeing.com

Swati Rangachari
Boeing India Communications
+91-99-99162000
swati.rangachari@boeing.com


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News
Contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS