Geostrategic objective: Gigantic C-17 Globemaster-III deployed for Tajikistan, Rwanda mission

NEW DELHI: The ‘SkyLords’ have already begun to spread their wings. India has quietly started deploying the gigantic C-17 Globemaster-III on “special overseas missions” in tune with its geostrategic objectives.

Defence ministry sources on Monday said while one C-17 made a trip to energy-rich Tajikistan in August, another is slated to fly to Rwanda later this month. “The Tajik flight carried special equipment. The one to Rwanda will carry heavy equipment to support our troops deployed in the UN stabilization mission in Congo,” said a source.

“It would have required 3-4 trips by our older IL-76 aircraft to carry the heavy load to Rwanda. The C-17 will do it in a single nonstop flight,” said the source.

Three of the first 10 C-17 s ordered for $4.1 billion from the US were “formally” inducted into the 81 Squadron last week. While two more will touch down by November, five will come by end-2014 . Designed to airlift a 70-tonne cargo across 4,200 km, the C-17 s can even land at makeshift airstrips in forward areas.

The overseas missions are being seen as “crucial” to Indian interests abroad. India has forged a “deep strategic partnership” with Tajikistan, which shares its borders with Afghanistan, China, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Moreover, the Indian military presence at the Ayni airbase, around 15 km from Dushanbe, helps Delhi keep some tabs on its strategic interests in Central Asia as well as terrorisminfested Af-Pak region.