The Australian Defence Force will receive the first of four C17 Globemasters by the end of the year. The order is for four aircraft.
Boeing C17 Globemaster A Globemaster in Royal Air Force markings.
Australia will be the third country to take the aircraft, after the US and Britain. Defence industry insiders say they were surprised at how quickly the Government reached a decision.Much of the Australian Air Force is facing obsolescence and increasing maintenance costs. Commonly known as the problem of block obsolescence. The other issue is that with Australian commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and other locations around the globe more hours are being put on existing airframes. Airlift is an important component of Australian capability and projection. The federal government should bite the bullet and buy a complete squadron of the Boeing C17 aircraft. The 707, Hercules and Caribou aircraft are not getting any younger.
