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The integration process was marked by initiating the riveting of these structures at
the airlifter's "major join" ceremony July 31 here. India's Consul General in San
Francisco N. Parthasarathi, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and IAF and Boeing
representatives witnessed the ceremony, regarded as a key milestone in an aircraft's
production line.
India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government on June 15,
2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the U.S.
"The defense relationship between India and the United States is an important dimension
of our strategic partnership," said Ambassador N. Parthasarathi. "This momentous occasion,
where we see India's first C-17 take shape, further strengthens our growing relationship.
As India strives to become a global reservoir of highly skilled and technologically
sophisticated manpower, we will witness an escalating technology transfer, collaborative
joint research and development, and co-production of defense items between our two
countries."
"This is a proud day for the highly skilled Boeing
workforce and our newest customer to celebrate
a major production milestone," said Bob Ciesla,
Boeing Airlift vice president and C-17 program
manager. "We are preparing for India’s first C-17
to enter flight test on schedule early next year,
and we look forward to providing for India's current
and future needs and continuing to support C-17s
long after they are delivered."
Mark Kronenberg, Boeing's Vice President for
International Business Development, told
India Strategic that he was looking forward
to significant followp sales to India as Boeing
was ready to transfer some of its best technologies
to India. Boeing has won nearly $8 billion worth
of orders from India for defence systems, including
10 C 17 Globemaster III aircraft for IAF and 12
P8-I armed maritime reconnaissance aircraft fore
the Indian Navy after the US lifted restriction
on sale of military systems to India in 2005.
Boeing has delivered 245 C-17s worldwide, including 217 to the U.S. Air Force active
duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 28 C-17s have been delivered to Australia,
Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic
Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.
The C 17 can land at and take off from small unpaved strips of just 3000 feet and has
a remarkable safety record with just one accident due to pilot error in 20 years. Despite
its huge size, it can operate with a small crew of two pilots and one loadmaster to load
or unload cargo. Unlike most transport aircraft it is easy to fly, thanks to its simple
joystick, akin to those in the fighter aircraft.
Patrick M Druez, incharge of Business Development programme for India, said that while
the first aircraft would be physically handed over to IAF in December, it would be flown
to India only in May or June 2013. Some Indian pilots are already training with the US
Air Force at the Altus aurbase, and it would be upto the IAF and the USAF to see how best
the aircraft is utilised.
The company would deliver all the 10 already ordered aircraft to India by mid-2014, he said.
India is acquiring the C 17s in a $ 4.1 billion deal from the US Government under what is
called the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency
(DSCA), which manages military sales to various governments, charges a 2.5 to 5 percent
fee for executing a deal, and in the case of C 17s, this has been calculated at 3.8
percent.
The C 17 is powered by four F117s Pratt & Whitney's PW2037
commercial engine used on the Boeing 757 jetliners.
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