Heavy Lifters

Atul Chandra

The Indian Air Force (IAF) presently operates a fleet of Russian and American built transport aircraft comprised of Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs, Ilyushin IL-76s, Lockheed Martin C-130Js and Antonov AN-32 / AN-32 REs.

 The IAF’s fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift transport aircraft has transformed its strategic airlift capability

With a growing need for heavy-lift assets in the Himalayas and especially the Ladakh region, the IAF may soon need to induct additional transport assets into the region. The continued deployment of large Chinese forces in the region will perforce require the IAF to allocate a heavier share of its transport fleet than before, for troops and logistics movement on the Indian side of the border.

Even as recently as January this year, there were an estimated 60,000 Chinese troops deployed opposite the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. With China having the advantage of motorable roads and superior infrastructure on its side of the LAC, India is left with no option but to rely heavily on its fixed wing and rotary wing assets for troop movement and logistics deployment. However, the summer months, with their higher ambient temperatures, severely restrict the ability of transport aircraft to carry heavier payloads.

The IAF will soon need to start looking at replacements for its ageing IL-76 and AN-32 transport aircraft. The need to replace these aircraft has become even more urgent due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which complicates the availability of spares for both types.

C-17

The IAF operates a fleet of 11 C-17 strategic transport aircraft which provide rapid strategic combat airlift capabilities for the armed forces. Boeing delivered 10 aircraft to the IAF between 2013-2014 and the 11^th and last aircraft was delivered in August 2019. The IAF formally inducted the C-17 into service in September 2013 with the newly formed C-17 squadron ‘Skylords’. The C-17 fleet affords the IAF tremendous flexibility in terms of operational response  in any future campaign.

The aircraft’s ability to transport large payloads across vast ranges, land on short, austere runways, and operate in extremely hot and cold climates makes it ideally suited for Himalayan operations. The C-17’s long range, heavy lift capability will allow troops and equipment to be shifted between theatres rapidly. With a maximum payload of nearly 75 tonne, the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or less. IAF C-17s