The C-17, industry sources said, is quite a massive aircraft, measuring 174 feet long and 55 feet high with a 170-feet wingspan.
Keen on replacing its ageing Russian IL-76 transport aircraft fleet, the Indian Air Force has shortlisted US major Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III for its heavylift aircraft.
"The C-17s have been shortlisted after IAF carried out a thorough study on its capability to take-off and land on short runways with heavy loads," IAF sources said here on Tuesday.
IAF would place an initial order for 10 of the C-17s through the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, and may later go in for a follow-on order, sources said.
"The Defence Ministry is at present considering the proposal. If accepted, the aircraft should be inducted in about three years after signing of the contract," sources added.
In fact, most of IAF's transport aircraft were acquired in the 1980s and the air force is keen to acquire new generation aircraft to replace and augment its fleet.
There are about 100 mediumlift AN-32 aircraft and around 20 heavylift IL-76 aircraft in the IAF fleet at present.
An IL-76 has a six-member crew and can carry a cargo of 45 tonnes. But the C-17, which is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F-117-PW-100 turbofan engines, can carry 70 tonnes and has only a three-member crew, industry sources said.
The C-17, industry sources said, is quite a massive aircraft, measuring 174 feet long and 55 feet high with a 170-feet wingspan.
But it can be flown by a pilot with a simple joystick, as he would a fighter aircraft, which can be life saving in a battle zone given its quick take-off capability at steep angles.
With midair refuelling capability, the aircraft has been the lifeline of the US forces for deployment overseas, in particular it has been extensively used by US and NATO troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, they said.
C-17s can carry large equipment, which included battle tanks and supplies for fully armed troops, directly to small airfields in any harsh terrain in the world and can be operated under all-visibility conditions day or night, they added.
India has been having problems relating to spares and supplies for the Soviet-origin aircraft, IL-76s and AN-32s. It is at present in the process of finalising a deal with Ukraine for upgrading the 20-tonne AN-32s.
Last year, India signed a contract with the US for purchasing six C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin for its special forces operations.
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