NEW DELHI, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- India is negotiating the purchase of Boeing's C-17 Globemaster Heavy-Lift aircraft in a deal with the United States that is estimated at about $1.7 billion.
India already possesses a fleet of 40 Russian-made Ilyushin-76 Garjaj transporters.
But experts and several Indian defense officials say that the inclusion of an entirely new bird to its transport fleet would boost the country's air force capabilities.
No details of the deal have been disclosed by India's Ministry of Defense. But local and international media experts say the negotiation centers on the purchase of 10 C-17 aircraft made by the U.S.-based Boeing, the world's second-largest plane maker.
While reports pegged the deal price at $1.7 million, analysts question the size of the discount that the United States could be offering to India.
Specifically, each aircraft costs $250 million and the U.S. Congress has authorized $2.5 billion for 10 of the heavy-lift transport planes for the country's air force. The plane, though, is an aircraft that the U.S. Department of Defense does not want to retain for domestic use.
In a joint-lift exercise, the U.S Air Force flew the Globemaster in India last month. The joint maneuver, in Agra, was intended to allow Indian defense experts to familiarize themselves with the plane.
A high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night, Boeing says on its Web site.
The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions.
It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s.
Compared to the IL-76, the Globemaster is known for its ability to land in remote, lesser developed forward air bases.
"The C-17s advantages include its easier handling," Defense News reported.
The American-made transport aircraft, however, is three times costlier than its Russian counterpart.
Still, should the deal be finalized it would mark Boeing's second-largest deal with India after a $2.1 billion agreement for the purchase of eight P-81 maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian navy. That deal was clinched in January 2009.
Unnamed officials have been quoted as saying that the deal is part of India's bid to triple its lift capacity. That would be critical in stopping any Chinese advances.
India is also trying to challenge China's lead in building rail and road infrastructure that would boost the local economy and also mobilize troops and equipment swiftly.
"Indian military needs to do three things: augment its ability to quickly lift larger numbers of troops as it views possible threats on its border with China, strengthen its presence on the Pakistani border, and fight terrorism and low-intensity warfare," a senior Defense Ministry official was quoted as saying by Defense News.
India has already placed orders for six C-130 aircraft from the United States, the deliveries of which are due to begin in 2011.
