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"The C-17 will give the UAE the ability
to perform a variety of humanitarian and strategic
lift operations around the world in support of
both national and international missions,"
said Major General Staff Pilot Faris Mohamed Al
Mazrouei. "These missions require us to be
ready for any contingency at any time and any
place, and the C-17 meets our requirements."
Under the agreement, announced Jan 6, the UAE
will take delivery of four C-17s in 2011 and two
in 2012. Financial terms are not being disclosed.
The UAE is the second Middle East nation after
Qatar to order this big four-engine airlifter.
"Boeing is pleased that the UAE Air Force
has selected the C-17 to meet its airlift requirements
for the 21st century," said Jean Chamberlin,
Boeing vice president, Global Mobility Systems.
"The C-17 consistently posts mission capability
rates that are among the best in the world, earning
it high marks for its industry-leading quality
and reliability."
Boeing will provide support for the UAE C-17s
through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership,
an agreement under which Boeing is responsible
for all C-17 sustainment activities, including
material management and depot maintenance support.
"As a tactical and strategic airlifter,
the C-17 is a perfect fit for the requirements
of the United Arab Emirates Air Force," said
Tommy Dunehew, Boeing Global Mobility Systems
vice president of Business Development. "In
addition to being able to land and take off on
short, unimproved runways, it has the highest
mission capability rate of any airlifter."
The C-17 can carry large combat equipment and
troops or humanitarian aid across international
distances directly to small austere airfields
anywhere in the world. With a full payload of
170,000 pounds, the C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical
miles and land in 3,000 feet or less.
There are currently 212 C-17s in service worldwide
-- 19 with international customers. The U.S. Air
Force, including active Guard and Reserve units,
has 193. International customers include Qatar,
the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the
Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member
Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO
and Partnership for Peace nations.
In New Delhi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal
P V Naik had earlier told India Strategic
that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was also interested
in buying 10 C 17s for operational and disaster
relief roles.
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