strategic heavy transport · out_of_production
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
L0 — fully imported.
Specifications
77 t payload4,400 km range829 km/h cruise45,000 ft ceiling4 × Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan, 40,440 lbf each (commercial PW2040 derivative)Not applicable — turbofan-powered
Indian partner: None for manufacture. Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) at Bengaluru provides engineering services. · Not applicable for manufacture.
Country of origin: United States of America
Role: Strategic heavy airlift
Range: Global range with aerial refuelling; tactical radius approximately 4,400 km.
Payload: Maximum payload 77,000 kg; main deck accommodates an M1 Abrams main battle tank.
Why it matters for India
IAF operates 11 C-17A Globemaster IIIs (10 contracted in 2011; 1 additional in 2017). Boeing production line closed (Long Beach, 2015). No Indian manufacturing. Atlas records C-17 as a neighbouring strategic-transport reference platform.
Indian production status
None. No Indian manufacturing.
Programme milestones · 2
- 2011-06-01Contract for 10 C-17A aircraft via FMSdelivered
- 2017-06-0111th C-17A contract signed (additional aircraft)delivered
MRO · 1
- Boeing India Support Centre (BISC) — NagpurNagpur (MIHAN SEZ), Maharashtra · Active; C-17 fleet supported through BISC and Boeing sustainment operations. No Indian depot MRO.C-17 fleet support; parts logistics; engineering services; line maintenance support
Sources · 3
- C-17 Globemasterofficialsrc-boeing-c17-india
- The Military Balance 2024crediblesrc-iiss-military-balance-2024
- Achievements of Ministry of Defence During the Year 2013officialsrc-mod-india-c17-contract