Boeing delivers first C17 for flight test to IAF

[Capt.Popeye]

I didn't said that IAF needs it, just wanted to point out, that it's not the heavy transport aircraft that will be used to transport heavy vehicles to long distances in war times, like many people thinks, since it simply can't carry many of them. That's where AN 124, 225 and the C5 come in and will have clear advantages.
The C17 will be a good addition for IAF in strategic transport roles, be it humanitarian or UN missions. But vehicle transport will still be done with ships, or if needed by leased Antonov aircrafts.
Wrt the transport role within India, the C17 offers advantages only to transport loads to high altitudes or to carry more lighter vehicles, but IAF won't do troop transport with it, because it hardly offers any advantage here:

102 troops, while the C130Js can carry 92 and A400 even 116, the A330 MRTT even 300. So IAF can transport pretty much a similar ammount of troops to more airstrips (thanks to the short take off and landing capability of C130Js), or 3 times the troops to air bases.

(A330 MRTT at Leh)


With the MTA and the smaller transport aircrafts we get, the troop transport area will be filled anyway, which leaves only the medim to heavy transports for the C17 and I still say A400 class transporters, are more useful for Indian requirements.

There are some points there. The C-17s and C-130s will be used for specific tasks, not for general troop-carrying duties. For that there is an existing fleet of "Hacks" viz. the Il-76s and the An-32s. For Troop-Transport, in a squeeze even aircraft from IA can be requisitioned, like B-737s and A-320s which can already fly into many airfields like Leh or Baghdogra.

 

[ANPP]

Than whats the purpose of Globemaster. Can any one tell. Because this artical says that it will not used for vehical transportation.

 

[sancho]

There are some points there. The C-17s and C-130s will be used for specific tasks, not for general troop-carrying duties. For that there is an existing fleet of "Hacks" viz. the Il-76s and the An-32s. For Troop-Transport, in a squeeze even aircraft from IA can be requisitioned, like B-737s and A-320s which can already fly into many airfields like Leh or Baghdogra.

For long range troop transport, only the IL 76 will offer comparable performance, from the options you mentioned, but when we talk about war time in India, C130Js will be used for troop transports for sure, since they can carry more troops than the AN 32s, to more airstrips than the C17s or IL 76s. And as said, the high end in this role will be the A330MRTT.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Than whats the purpose of Globemaster. Can any one tell. Because this artical says that it will not used for vehical transportation.

Where does the article say this?

 

[JanjaWeed]

P&W Sends First C17 Engine Shipment to India

As the largest air show in India gets underway, engine maker Pratt & Whitney has delivered its first batch of C-17 engines to the Indian Air Force.

India signed an agreement for the C-17s in 2011. The first five C-17s will arrive in 2013, with the next five due in 2014.

Each transport plane requires four of the P&W F117 engines, which are utilized on 250 C-17s worldwide, including more than 200 for the U.S. Air Force.

“Pratt & Whitney is delighted to be delivering the first batch of engines that will power the Indian Air Force’s C-17 fleet and we’re pleased to have them join the growing international fleet that flies this premium airlifter,” said Bev Deachin, vice president, Military Programs and Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney.

India’s purchase on the C-17 represents Pratt & Whitney’s first military engine program in India, although spokesman Shawn Watson notes that P&W has had a presence in the Indian commercial sector since the 1940s.

“The Indian civil aviation and defense sectors are projected for significant growth and Pratt & Whitney is committed to partnering with India to grow aerospace capabilities in the country,” wrote Watson in an email. “Past, present, and future, we are proud of our presence in India.”

P&W Sends First Engine Shipment to India | Defense News | defensenews.com

 

[Zabaniyah]

I believe that this is the earliest image of that particular C-17:

Photo was taken hours after it left the production line

 

[quranak343]

India has placed orders for 10 C-17s Globemaster III airlifters, of which five would be delivered this year and rest five in 2014. The flight test programme would be carried out at the Edwards Air Force Base in Valifornia.