Defence Minister AK Antony will formally induct Indian Air Force's biggest 70-tonneheavy-lift transport aircraft C-17 into service at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi today.
This will help in bolstering the IAF's capability to swiftly transport combat troops and equipment such as tanks to the front.
According to reports, the aircraft procured from the US will be inducted into the newly-formed 81 'Skylord' Squadron.
The C-17, with a capability to carry around 80 tonnes of load and around 150 fully geared troops, will replace the Russian IL-76 as the biggest aircraft in the IAF inventory till now. The IL-76 had the capability to carry loads upto around 40 tonnes.
The US Air Force will complete the delivery of all the 10 aircraft by the end of next year.
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