LONG BEACH, Calif., June 15, 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that India’s Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The Foreign Military Sale -- approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2010 -- establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer.

According to the agreement, India will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.

"The C-17 will elevate India's leadership in the region," said Dinesh Keskar, president, Boeing India. "With its tactical and strategic capabilities, the C-17 fulfills India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift. The important transaction reaffirms our close relationship of several decades with India and also highlights our commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries."

"This agreement is a reflection of the outstanding partnership India's Ministry of Defence has with the U.S. Air Force, which worked very hard to help India strengthen its airlift capabilities with the C-17," said Jean Chamberlin, vice president and general manager, Boeing Mobility. "The aircraft's ability to transport large payloads across vast ranges, land on short, austere runways, and operate in extremely hot and cold climates makes it ideal for the region."

Boeing will support India's C-17 fleet through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a proven multinational Performance-Based Logistics program. The GSP "virtual fleet" arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers -- with varied fleet sizes -- access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale when purchasing materials.

"Boeing is pleased that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has selected the C-17 to support its airlift mission," said Mark Kronenberg, vice president of International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We look forward to partnering with India as we move forward with the agreement's 30 percent offset program, which will help strengthen India's aerospace and defense capabilities."

During rigorous field evaluation trials in India in June 2010, the C-17 met all of the IAF's airlift requirements.

A tactical and strategic airlifter, the C-17 can land combat-ready troops in remote locations or airdrop them directly where needed. The C-17's ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a maximum payload of 164,900 pounds (74,797 kg), the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or less.

Boeing has delivered 232 C-17s worldwide, including 22 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force -- including active National Guard and Reserve units -- has taken delivery of 210 C-17s. Other customers include the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations, and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence.

Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined, has significantly expanded its footprint in India both in the civil aviation and defense market. Boeing is partnering with India's leading technology and manufacturing companies to build a supply chain out of India. The company also has opened a Research and Technology center in Bengaluru to collaborate with India's technical talent for research in aero structures, materials and network systems. Boeing India's corporate office is located in New Delhi. For more information on Boeing India, visit www.boeing.co.in.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 65,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

India and the United States have signed the largest-ever bilateral defense deal, worth 4.1 billion US dollars. Under the agreement, Washington will deliver 10 C-17 Globemaster-III military transport aircraft to New Delhi within four years.

The Globemaster is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 77.5 tons, including combat vehicles, artillery guns and troops. It will bolster India's power capabilities in its primary areas of interest. Indian media has reported that the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing will also establish a state of the art testing facility in India, for engines and other aircraft parts.

See more detail via CCTV (June 15th, 2011), Youtube and via Today (headline earlier)

The C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout the world; it can also perform tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions. The C-17 carries the name of two previous, unrelated U.S. military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. In addition to the U.S. Air Force, the C-17 is operated by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The C-17 also serves with the Heavy Airlift Wing of NATO. Additionally, Now the India has approved the purchase of C-17s.

In February 2009, the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement to purchase four C-17 airlifters. In January 2010, UAE signed a contract with Boeing for six C-17s (four C-17s in 2011, and two in 2012).

In June 2009, the Indian Air Force (IAF) selected the C-17 to fulfill its Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft requirement. The C-17 is to replace the Ilyushin Il-76 as the IAF's largest heavy lift transport aircraft in service. In January 2010, the US Government received a request from India for 10 C-17s through the US Government's Foreign Military Sales program, and was approved by US Congress in June 2010. On 23 June 2010, the Indian Air Force successfully test-landed a USAF C-17 at the Gaggal Airport, India. This completed the IAF's C-17 trials. An agreement to purchase 10 aircraft, with an option to purchase six more, was revealed during President Obama's visit to India in November 2010. In February 2011 the IAF and Boeing agreed to terms for order of 10 C-17s with an option for six more; the order was approved by the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security on 6 June 2011. In June 2011, it was reported that Indian Air Force could buy more C-17s later.

In June 15, 2011, announced that India’s Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The Foreign Military Sale -- approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2010 -- establishes India US as the C-17's largest international customer.

India has signed its agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, clearing the way for the contract to be signed in the next few months.

India’s federal Cabinet Committee on Security, a panel comprised of ministers and chaired by the prime minister, approved the purchase of the strategic heavy-lift aircraft at a cost of $4.1 billion from the United States on June 7 (Aerospace DAILY, June 7).

“This agreement is a reflection of the outstanding partnership India’s ministry of defense has with the U.S. Air Force, which worked very hard to help India strengthen its airlift capabilities with the C-17,” says Jean Chamberlin, vice president and general manager of Boeing Mobility.

The GSP “virtual fleet” arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers — with varied fleet sizes — access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale when purchasing materials.

“The aircraft’s ability to transport large payloads across vast ranges, land on short, austere runways and operate in extremely hot and cold climates makes it ideal for the region,” Chamberlin adds.

The contract includes an offset clause under which Boeing will reinvest nearly $1 billion in the Indian defense, internal security, aviation and related training sectors.

This approval will be India’s biggest defense deal with the U.S. after New Delhi shut out Boeing and Lockheed Martin from its $11 billion fighter jet competition in April. The IAF currently operates 17 Il-76s. The Il-76s are to be replaced by C-17 Globemaster IIIs which

Boeing has delivered 232 C-17s worldwide, including 22 to international customers. The U.S. Air Force — including active National Guard and Reserve units — has taken delivery of 210 C-17s. Other customers include the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations, and the United Arab Emirates air force and air defense.

C-17 deal will be able to make sustaining 23,000 jobs in US and unemployment rate will make lower rate. The current U.S. unemployement rate has been higher now 9.1 compare to January, 2011 as 9.0.

Last week Tuesday, Ambassador Timothy Roemer stated that the C-17 Globemaster will broaden India's capability to provide humanitarian assistance to people devastated by natural disasters; to deploy peacekeeping troops around the world to secure peace in dangerous areas and to evacuate its citizens and others from areas of civil strife anywhere in the world. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Ministry officials said last week.

This great investment will make grow military and humanitarian ties between two democracies. From joint training exercises to defence sales and ship visits, the United States is committed to sharing expertise and cutting-edge technology with India. With long time careful and thorough review and made decision which made the best choice will boost the economic benefits for both India and the United States. India is a leader in maintaining regional stability in South Asia, and a partner in promoting peace and economic growth like Ambassaor Thimothy Roemer Roemer said last week on Tuesday.

Finally, just want share with the positive viewers around the world: "Aero India 2007 - C-17 Globemaster" from last 2007 show via youtube.

Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and Boeing is the largest exporter by value in the United States. Its stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.