As the Russian Ilyushin-76 remains grounded, India has realized that sometimes buying cheap is not the best option. In a sign of increasing Indo-US military ties and India’s increasing defence budget, India has started negotiating the purchase of C-17 globemaster aircrafts from the US government in a deal worth approximately US$1.7 billion.
Wing Commander Raghu Rajan (ret.) says that the induction of the C-17 would enhance India’s capability to mobilise more number of troops in a short-span of time, since they are bigger than the IL-76 aircrafts we presently use. He further adds that the ability of a nation to win wars depends on two factors: decision making and swift mobilisation of resources, hence it is in the second aspect that this aircraft would prove to be an invaluable asset for the IAF and India.
As a part of its modernisation program and to counter the growing threat perception from its big neighbor China, the IAF has initiated a slew of measures like opening three new advanced landing grounds (ALG) in the past two years and going in for large scale acquisitions. The latest being Nyoma in eastern Ladakh, just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which was opened in September this year. The other two ALGs are Daulat Beg Oldi, the world’s highest airfield at 16,200 feet, in May last year and Fuk Che in November that year. The C-17 have better ability to land in remote, lesser developed forward air-bases that would be critical to stop any Chinese advances in places like Arunachal. Separately, India is trying to catch up with China’s lead in building rail and road infrastructure that would help the local economy and also to mobilse troops and equipment quickly.
The heavy lift aircraft was recently in India to take part in the joint air-lift exercise, which was held in Agra between 19–23 October. The deal, which is expected to be finalised by early 2010 would be Boeings second largest deal with New Delhi, US$ 2.1 billion agreement in January this year to purchase eight P-8 maritime patrol aircraft being the largest.
The heavy-lift US aircraft had also show-cased it’s flying abilities at the Aero India in February earlier this year. It has drawn favors from the Indian establishment for its ability to operate from runways as short as 3,500 feet and as narrow as 90 feet besides this, the C-17 has been equipped with thrust reversers that can be used to back the aircraft and reverse direction on narrow taxiways using a three-point turn manoeuvre.
The IAF has also placed the orders for six C-130J aircraft from the United States, the deliveries for which will commence in 2011 and is in the process of finalising the orders for 126 multi role combat aircrafts, apart from the 197 Light Utility Helicopters it is looking to procure.
Brazil manufactured Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radars were also received by the IAF earlier this year. The picture for the IAF due to its ambitious modernisation plan looks good, however, we need to step-up the pace because the mainstay of air forces fixed wing transport division the An-32 AND IL-76 aircraft have completed their calendar life as per the Soviet manufacturer’s specifications. Both are on their extended lives, and could go on for another 10 to 15 years.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
There only gonna buy 6 C130 J's? Should buy more maybe outfit a few of em as spooks.
Wow!
This unfortunate C-17 Globemaster, is seen here taking several direct hits from the vicious and blood thirsty Islamic enemy's heavy anti- aircraft artillery.
Great photo.
I hope that no body killed.
It'll keep the Boeing lines open a little longer if they buy more C-17s. But when is India going to need strategic airlift?
Between 1990 to 2007, India built 690km of railways whereas China built 20,000km. They are connected right up to the forward areas whereas India is woeful short not only on infrastructure but also on helicopters. Tensions with China are increasing and Pakistan has been warned against supporting another terrorist attack. Some people think that its only a matter of time till a conflict arises.
I agree with the third base; Fuk Che.
Seriously, I wonder how Obama feels about this. The Senators from Boeing must be delighted.
Boeing already has confirmed orders of US$17billion in India. There are rumours that they are also unsubstantiated rumours that in advanced stages of discussions to sell missiles.
One thing for sure, the Russians are not going to like it. Curious that of the international C-17 buyers, most come from Commonwealth nations. Let see if Brazil jumps in the bandwagon, Japan is mulling it over.
With the A400 from Airbus having so many problems and SOuth Africa canxing their order, that leaves only the C-17 and after market IL-76 as competitors with the C-130J not far behind. The world has seen what the US can accomplish with heavy airlift. Lets not forget that airlift by military aircraft isnt just for tanks and troops. It can also be for disaster relief. The C-17 can ferry more troops faster than the C-130 so this will diversify mission capabilities, as well as offer tank transport which the C-130 can not do. The C-17 can also perform general logistics, say driving trucks with ISO containers on board and flying them anywhere in india in 90 minutes from the ports.
From the original article "Grounding of IL-76 worries I.A.F." :
"…We’ve received no official word from Russia till now…" (about the causes of this November's Il-76 crash)
What rock-dumb, arrogant, rat-worshipping pepper-eaters! Do they really expect the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (I.A.C.) or the U.S. American National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.) to analyze a black box and plane debris in less than a few weeks if an U.S. American (or any other Western) plane model crashes?
What jungle kid impulsively buys a whole fleet of U.S. American cargo planes only because its actual one may have ONE faulty wire, bolt, valve or chip, or simply be 42 years old and from "Uzbekistan" ? I thought that Indians were even famous for being niggardly!
The Bollywoods want "swift mobilisation of resources" ? Let them buy Antonov An-225 Mriyas!
Mr. Bomb – have you tried bit.ly? Check it out.
No thanks. I want everybody to be able to read my entire links, to feel safe with the sources I supply (even if they don't open them). That's also the reason why I NEVER open any TinyURL's myself: They may not lead to links, but to ".exe" commands, etc. !