Boeing [NYSE: BA] today in Long Beach
integrated the forward, center and aft fuselages and the wing assembly
of India's first C-17 Globemaster III during the airlifter's "major
join" ceremony.
Embassy, senior Indian Air Force and local elected officials drove
ceremonial rivets into the aircraft as they celebrated the achievement
of this key program milestone.
India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government
on June 15, 2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the
largest C-17 customer outside the U.S. Those governments finalized the
Foreign Military Sales contract for the airframe alone on June 6.
"The defense relationship between India and the United States is an
important dimension of our strategic partnership," said Ambassador N.
Parthasarathi, Consul General of India, San Francisco. "This momentous
occasion, where we see India's first C-17 take shape, further
strengthens our growing relationship. As India strives to become a
global reservoir of highly skilled and technologically sophisticated
manpower, we will witness an escalating technology transfer,
collaborative joint research and development, and co-production of
defense items between our two countries."
"This is a proud day for the highly skilled Boeing workforce and our
newest customer to celebrate a major production milestone," said Bob
Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice president and C-17 program manager. "We are
preparing for India’s first C-17 to enter flight test on schedule early
next year, and we look forward to providing for India's current and
future needs and continuing to support C-17s long after they are
delivered."
Boeing has delivered 245 C-17s worldwide, including 217 to the U.S. Air
Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 28 C-17s have
been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates,
the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability
initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.
Asian Defence News
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