The Indian Air Force received its sixth C-17 Globemaster III on Monday. The arrival of the new addition to the IAF was recieved by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley who visited the Palam Airbase in New Delhi and familiarised himself with the aircraft.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha conducted the minister through the aircraft and briefed him on the strategic capability and role of the aircraft. The minister was further given a detailed brief by the Commanding Officer Group Captain BS Reddy.
The government accorded approval to buy 10 C-17 Globemaster III along with associated equipment for the IAF in June 2011. The first of the 10 aircraft touched down in India on June 18, 2013 and the delivery of all 10 is expected to be completed by December 2014.
This aircraft will enhance the operational potential of the IAF with its payload carriage and performance (about 75 tonnes) and would augment the strategic reach (about 4500 Kms) of the nation during operations, disaster relief or any similar mission.
The ceremony was attended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command (WAC) Air Marshal SS Soman and other senior IAF and Ministery of Defence officials.
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