The Indian Air Force will induct its first C-17 Globemaster III, its largest strategic heavy lift aircraft, at the Hindan air force in Ghaziabad after it is procured from the US by 2013-14. Recently India has formally cleared the biggest-ever Indo-US defence deal, the $4.1 billion (Rs 19,000-crore) contract for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster will augment the IAF's inventory, which recently went up with the induction of the C130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from another U.S. company Lockheed Martin. These aircraft would allow the IAF to swiftly move a greater number of troops and materials than its existing transport fleet of AN-32 and Il-76 ‘Gajraj,' inducted more than two decades ago.
