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India's Air Force to buy last remaining US-built C-17 aircraft after production ceases during order processing delays
PUBLISHED: 18:48 EST, 19 December 2016 | UPDATED: 18:48 EST, 19 December 2016
Unable to process its request in time to buy three C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft from the US, the Air Force is now looking to buy the only remaining aircraft in the American inventory for over Rs 2,500 crore.
The Air Force, which has put the proposal before the Defence Ministry, originally wanted to buy three C-17 planes from the US, which has stopped the production of the planes at its facility in Long Beach, California.
But the American government was left only with one plane for sale.
The aircraft would help the Air Force expand its inventory of 10 C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft
'We will now buy whatever we can and are planning to buy the single aircraft left with the US. In this regard, we are planning to move our proposal in a key Defence Ministry meeting planned to be held this month,' a senior IAF source told Mail Today.
The aircraft would help the Air Force expand its inventory of 10 C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft which has been used by the force to carry out several major operations, including airlifting new currency notes after demonetisation.
The price of the single aircraft would be more than Rs 2,500 crore and would be delivered in couple of years after the contract is signed between India and the US, under a Foreign Military Sales route contract.
India had bought the previous 10 aircraft from the American government under a $4.1 billion (Rs 2,780 crore approx) deal and all of them are deployed at its Hindon air force base.
With an additional three aircraft, the IAF wanted to enhance its capability to airlift men and material during times of crisis, as it did during the earthquake in Nepal and natural disasters in eastern parts of the country.
Apart from the natural disasters, the aircraft have also provided the capability to the Air Force to directly airlift tanks and infantry combat vehicles from the plains to high mountainous areas of Ladakh on the border with China.
The planes can also airlift around 300 fully geared troops for operations and can fly from country's northernmost airfield in Leh to southernmost runway in Andaman and Nicobar island territory directly, providing fast deployment of troops.
In a presentation given to the Prime Minister on its requirements last year, the Air Force had pressed upon the need for more such aircraft due to their utility and performance in operations.
However, owing to certain infrastructure issues, the fleet of American planes is yet to be fully utilised and this was also pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General in one of its recent reports.
ADVER
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom...es-order-processing-delays.html#ixzz4TMoaZo82
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
- IAF was unable to complete the request before the aircraft was discontinued
- But it will now buy the one remaining plane, rather than the three intended
- It adds to an existing inventory of 10 C-17 Globemaster heavylift aircraft
- See more news from India at www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome
PUBLISHED: 18:48 EST, 19 December 2016 | UPDATED: 18:48 EST, 19 December 2016
Unable to process its request in time to buy three C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft from the US, the Air Force is now looking to buy the only remaining aircraft in the American inventory for over Rs 2,500 crore.
The Air Force, which has put the proposal before the Defence Ministry, originally wanted to buy three C-17 planes from the US, which has stopped the production of the planes at its facility in Long Beach, California.
But the American government was left only with one plane for sale.
The aircraft would help the Air Force expand its inventory of 10 C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft
'We will now buy whatever we can and are planning to buy the single aircraft left with the US. In this regard, we are planning to move our proposal in a key Defence Ministry meeting planned to be held this month,' a senior IAF source told Mail Today.
The aircraft would help the Air Force expand its inventory of 10 C-17 Globemaster heavylift transport aircraft which has been used by the force to carry out several major operations, including airlifting new currency notes after demonetisation.
The price of the single aircraft would be more than Rs 2,500 crore and would be delivered in couple of years after the contract is signed between India and the US, under a Foreign Military Sales route contract.
India had bought the previous 10 aircraft from the American government under a $4.1 billion (Rs 2,780 crore approx) deal and all of them are deployed at its Hindon air force base.
With an additional three aircraft, the IAF wanted to enhance its capability to airlift men and material during times of crisis, as it did during the earthquake in Nepal and natural disasters in eastern parts of the country.
Apart from the natural disasters, the aircraft have also provided the capability to the Air Force to directly airlift tanks and infantry combat vehicles from the plains to high mountainous areas of Ladakh on the border with China.
The planes can also airlift around 300 fully geared troops for operations and can fly from country's northernmost airfield in Leh to southernmost runway in Andaman and Nicobar island territory directly, providing fast deployment of troops.
In a presentation given to the Prime Minister on its requirements last year, the Air Force had pressed upon the need for more such aircraft due to their utility and performance in operations.
However, owing to certain infrastructure issues, the fleet of American planes is yet to be fully utilised and this was also pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General in one of its recent reports.
ADVER
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom...es-order-processing-delays.html#ixzz4TMoaZo82
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
