$4.1 bn C-17 aircraft deal set to get bigger, 6 more coming

NEW DELHI: The biggest Indo-US defence deal in the pipeline, the $4.1-billion for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft, could get even bigger. India may well order another six C-17 s after the first 10.

The impending final contract for 10 C-17 s is in tune with India’s aim to have swift power projection capabilities, with the region spanning from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait being seen as the country’s ‘‘ primary area of geo-strategic interest’’ .

The gigantic C-17 s, after all, are capable of carrying a payload of 164,900 pounds after taking off from a mere 7,000-feet airstrip. These fourengine aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, can transport tanks and combat-ready troops over 2,400 nautical miles. ‘‘ After we have evaluated the performance of the 10 C-17 s, we will take a decision on whether to order another six,’’ IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told TOI on Monday.

This came shortly after Barack Obama, while addressing the media with Manmohan Singh, held, ‘‘ Today, I am pleased to welcome India’s preliminary agreement to purchase 10 C-17 cargo planes, which will enhance Indian capabilities and support 22,000 jobs back in US.’’

Incidentally, the major chunk of security paraphernalia , including armour-plated cars and helicopters, accompanying Barack Obama has come to India on-board C-17 s. ACM Naik, on his part, said the C-17 s would significantly augment India’s ability to move troops and combat systems, as also humanitarian aid and disaster relief , over large distances.

At present, IAF has just a dozen Russian-origin IL-76 ‘Gajraj’ aircraft, with its medium-lift fleet comprising 104 Russian AN-32 aircraft. ‘‘ C-17 s have short-landing capabilities , which will be crucial in the future,’’ he said.
The rugged C-17 s can even land at small forward airbases on semi-prepared runways, which will be crucial for India to counter China’s massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control, which includes new airfields in Tibet.

The contract for 10 C-17 s, with all its final costs, offsets , training packages and the like, is ‘‘ close’’ to being inked now. As earlier reported by TOI, India is buying the Globemasters under US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme in a direct government-to-government deal. Rubbishing criticism that India should have floated a global tender for such a big contract, ACM Naik said, ‘‘ We did a comprehensive evaluation of all such available aircraft in the world. The C-17 s best met our requirements.’’

Along with the C-17 s, India wants five spare engines, 10 AN/ALE counter-measure dispensing systems.