SOURCE: AFI
Boeing’s potential revival of the C-17 Globemaster III production line has gained traction as India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) accelerates efforts to streamline procurement processes, replacing lengthy field trials with simulations to meet urgent military needs. Announced on June 18, 2025, these reforms align with India’s likely interest in ordering additional C-17s, a heavy-lift cargo aircraft critical to its strategic airlift capabilities.
Boeing is considering restarting production of the C-17 Globemaster III, a versatile military transport aircraft, nearly a decade after halting its assembly line in 2015. At the Paris Air Show 2025, Boeing’s Vice President of Global Services-Government Services, Turbo Sjogren, confirmed “very early” discussions with an unnamed country, with additional interest from nations including India, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
The C-17, capable of carrying 77.5 tons over 8,700 km and operating from short, austere runways, is unmatched in strategic and tactical airlift. Its proven record in India’s operations—such as the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake relief and the 2025 India-Pakistan clash—underscores its value. Boeing delivered 279 C-17s to nine operators, with India’s 11 aircraft making it the second-largest user after the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The production halt was driven by insufficient orders, but renewed global demand, coupled with aging fleets like India’s IL-76s, has prompted Boeing to reassess.
India’s IAF operates 11 C-17s, acquired between 2011 and 2019, which have been pivotal in military and humanitarian missions. The fleet, based at Hindon Air Force Station, supports rapid troop deployments, heavy equipment transport, and disaster relief, as seen in the 2023 MV Ruen rescue and 2025 Kashmir operations. However, the IAF’s 20 IL-76s, procured from Russia in the 1980s, are outdated, with limited payload and reliability. The IAF seeks 12–15 additional C-17s to replace these and enhance its reach along contested borders with China and Pakistan.
India’s interest in more C-17s predates the production halt. A 2011 deal for 10 aircraft included an option for six more, but budget constraints and slow decision-making limited follow-on orders to one unit in 2019. A 2015 proposal for three C-17s at 8,100 crore was approved but stalled, allowing Boeing to close its Long Beach facility. The MoD’s new simulation-based procurement approach could expedite a C-17 order, aligning with emergency powers granted during Operation Sindoor, which allocated ?40,000 crore for urgent acquisitions like drones and missiles.
Restarting C-17 production is a costly endeavor. Boeing’s Long Beach facility is no longer operational, and reopening it or establishing a new site could cost billions. A 2013 RAND study estimated $8 billion for 150 modernized C-17s at a new facility, requiring firm orders from multiple nations. Supply chain reactivation, workforce training, and design updates—such as advanced avionics or fuel-efficient engines—add complexity. Sjogren emphasized the need for committed orders to justify the investment, with India’s potential order being a key factor.
For India, procurement challenges persist despite reforms. The MoD’s historical delays, driven by bureaucratic hurdles and “gold-plated” requirements, have frustrated vendors and the military. Simulations, while faster, raise concerns about reliability, with X users and Reddit’s r/IndianDefense community noting that replacing trials entirely could be a “risky shortcut.” Digital twins, combining simulation and real-world data, are suggested as a balanced approach. Additionally, India’s limited capital expenditure absorption—spending only 2% of its ?1.8 lakh crore defense capex in April 2025—may constrain a large C-17 order unless funding is prioritized.
A C-17 production restart would bolster India’s strategic airlift, enabling rapid deployment of tanks, helicopters, and troops to remote airfields, critical for deterring China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC). It would also enhance India’s global humanitarian role, reinforcing its soft power. For Boeing, a revived C-17 line would strengthen its defense portfolio amid commercial aviation challenges, potentially outpacing competitors like the Airbus A400M, which lacks the C-17’s range and payload.
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