BJP for probe into purchase of 10 C-17 aircraft from US

Through a Special Mention in Rajya Sabha, Tarun Vijay (BJP) sought to know the long term impact of this purchase on the country's defence preparedness.

The total cost of the aircraft and associated equipment for which the government has signed an agreement with US is estimated at USD 4.116 billion, he said.

The C-17 is a long running programme that the Pentagon has been trying to close but there are certain others who somehow wish to keep it alive, he said.

The US Air Force has been attempting to end acquisition of the C-17 at least since 2006 and focus on upgrading its aging Lockheed Martin Corp C-5 Galaxy fleet which can happen at a fraction of the cost of acquiring the C-17s, Vijay said.

The US media has reported that orders to Boeing for C-17 have been declining and the company has recently said it would further bring down annual production rate, he said.

Vijay said in a speech in May 2010, US Defence Secretary had said "the leadership of the Air Force is clear. They do not need and cannot afford more C-17s."

The impending closure of the plant raises a question as to how the IAF will continue to source aircraft parts and services in the long-run as plants shut down and experts retire, the BJP member said voicing concerns on purchase the aircraft.