C-17 Globemaster III (IAF)

when will the last C-17 arrive.

After ninth C-17
................

Both Apache and Chinooks are top notch, both have a very good chance of winning deals.

Mi-28 and Mi-26 are more cost effective, easier on logistics and do not come with any riders. Mi-26 eats alive Chinooks for pre-breakfast.

May be Apache is battle proved one, Mil-26 is best one in Heavy Class and we already operate some old Mil-26, so noting deffers in training.....

Boeing: Order from India to save Long Beach jobs - San Jose Mercury News

Boeing: Order from India to save Long Beach jobs


LOS ANGELES—There was excitement at Boeing's Long Beach C-17 assembly plant on Monday after word that a $4 billion order from India for 10 of the giant cargo jets was hours away from two final signatures.

"The plant is abuzz. We knew the order was in the works. The extra planes will get us through 2012. We know numerous, numerous countries are interested in planes in 2013, but 2012 was the gray year. This will allow us to make it through to 2013. It's huge," said Stan Clemchuk, president of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Local 148.

On Monday, India's Cabinet approved the proposal for the C-17 cargo planes, the largest defense deal between that country and the U.S.

"All that's left now is for the U.S. and Indian governments to sign a letter of offer and acceptance," said Jerry Drelling, Boeing's media relations manager for the C-17 program. That was expected in the next few days.

The C-17 is a flying warehouse that made its debut 20 years ago. It quickly became a war and disaster workhorse. It is built at the only airplane factory left in California.

Drelling said the order "helps us keep the line alive and supports jobs."

Boeing is the largest employer in Long Beach, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, but the impact of the C-17 extends beyond the Southern California city. The plane has an estimated $5.8 billion annual economic impact and the jobs of about 25,000 workers in
states depend on it, Drelling said.

Before the deal with India, the last of the plant's current orders would have been delivered in December 2012, he said.
"It's a great day for Long Beach," Clemchuk said.

Because it is a foreign military sale, negotiations are conducted between the two governments and Boeing is not involved, Drelling said. Anticipation grew when President Obama announced a preliminary agreement when he visited India in November.

"Now we're sort of at the final gate on the whole process," Drelling said.

The U.S. Air Force has ordered 223 of the C-17s, with 12 still being built. Twenty-one of the jets have been delivered to foreign countries—seven to the Royal Air Force, four to Australia, four to Canada, three to a coalition of countries, one to the United Arab Emirates (a second will be delivered later this week), and two to Qatar.

In 2006, it appeared orders for the jets had dried up. Boeing ordered the plant to close and alerted all workers they would soon be laid off.

Doomsday at the plant was averted when the U.S. ordered eight more of the jets, but production was cut from 16 or 17 jets a week to 10, and the company laid off workers to match production.

At the peak of production, around 7,000 salaried and hourly workers were employed. Drelling said about 3,700 salaried and hourly workers are left, but layoffs are still taking place.

"We would rather have them lower the rate and make fewer planes than close all together," Clemchuk said. "If it means the plant stays open, we are all for it."

Closing down is not an option, he said, because it costs so much to restore the plant and all its suppliers. "This will take us out another couple of years. We know other customers are interested, but they need time," Drelling said.

For example, he said, Qatar has an option for two more and Kuwait is in the process of completing an order.
Countries are modernizing, he said. "This is the world's most advanced airlifter. It can fly intercontinental distances with a full load without refueling. It can land on austere runways. It has saved countless lives of U.S. and military troops."

In addition, he said, "it's been the first responder to every major natural disaster in the last decade."

The nation's C-17 fleet has been getting quite a workout with all of the disasters around the world, Clemchuk said.
"It's the only plane in the world that can be turned into an operating room. The humanitarian work it is used for is unbelievable," the union president said.

AFP: US says India Boeing deal will support 23,000 jobs

US says India Boeing deal will support 23,000 jobs

NEW DELHI — The United States on Monday hailed India's decision to buy military transport planes worth more than $4 billion from US-based aviation giant Boeing, saying it would sustain 23,000 American jobs.

The US reaction came a day after the Indian cabinet approved a long-pending programme to acquire 10 C-17 Globemaster III planes from Boeing.

"This comprehensive purchase will support an estimated 23,000 jobs in the United States," US ambassador Timothy Roemer said in statement.

He said the deal would also provide India with maintenance infrastructure and aircrew training, and that more than 600 American firms would benefit indirectly.

The C-17 advanced airlifter can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances to small airfields, according to Boeing.

India is spending billions of dollars to upgrade its military with hardware imports from Britain, France, Israel, Russia and the United States.

current fleet of mi-26 and mi-17 have lots of spares problems, not to mention il-78 and il-76, IAF frustrated with Russian spares supply is turning to international market and struggling to find spares to keep existing fleet operational. Will IAF risk the same bs with more mi-26 which is such an easy sam target, its so huge, a well timed, well placed flick of a rock on its rotor may bring it down. Useful as it may seem, in battle its a first day first shot target.

mi-28 is a nice helo but apache block 3 brings complete networked capability with lethal punch. mi-28 is miles behind in netcentric abilities. looking at mrca, c-17 and other deals money aint an issue, apache and chinook offer better abilities.

Fit counter measures on the Mi-26 secondly this helicopter is mainly to be used as a workhorse not to insert troops near frontline this decreases probability of combat losses.Spare parts problem but i have my doubt that Russian are wholly to be blamed...

Mi-28 fitted with western avionics overcome the shortcomings, the Russian combat experience in Afghanistan and Chechnya makes their choppers worth a second look then there is the price factor....

well, I am sure that India won't receive the 16 C17 before CHina home-made big military transportor enter into the service of PLAAF.......just as India's 126 MRCA won't enter into service ,before J10B and J11B enter into service.

Furthermore, I think India's 126 MRCA won't enter into service earlier than J20.

What engines will the aircraft run with? Do you have any info on the specs of the aircraft, what will be the landing and take off length, maximum load, economy etc.,?

India would have to be waiting 30 years for those Chinese aircraft to contend with all the while the C-17 and MMRCA would be going into retirement.

Armand2REP , you should speak directly, it is not good to speak round the bush.
anyway you are pretty knowledgable, any idea about Chinesae indigenous big military transportor information.

Those figures are simply wrong and contradictory. The C-17 needs 7600feet runway at MTOW, for instance. The comparison in runway length using 18.1ton cargo is ridiculous - thats less than 25% of the capacity of a C-17. What are they trying to say? C-17, its a cargo plane that great when its empty?

The runway length for the A-400 is also flat out wrong, its less than a 1000m at that payload. As is the cargo capacity of the C-17, Can the C-17 carry 35.8 ton or 74.8 ton?

I find the C130j figures suspect as well, 5300feet seems greatly exaggerated and there is rocket assisted take off and landing available.