The Canadian Defence Dept. is now receiving its 4th and last ordered C-17 Globemaster. The payload capability of these 4 aircraft in a single lift is the equivalent of 16 Hercules. Thankfully it appears the government is going to fast track or try to, the C-130J replacements to replace its aging fleet of Herc's.

This is good news, since last time I checked on another forum, the DND was only receiving its 2nd C17/CC177 from Boeing. Still, in spite of their increased lift capacity compared to the Hercs, I am wondering why CF Aircom, the RAAF and the RAF all got C17s when none of these 3 air forces have KC135 air-to-air refuelling tankers capable of refuelling them with hanging/flying booms. We would still be dependent on the USAF for air-to-air refuelling for these C17s.

Anyways, here is a link which confirms what you posted and other news article links which relate to the C17 in use by Commonwealth nations' forces:

http://tinyurl.com/5yz8r5

RAAF C17s
http://www.air-attack.com/news/news_article/3072/4th-Bo...red-to-the-RAAF.html

Not betting the company, but a gamble:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/sto...channel=defense

Then there's this:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/...ion-future.html

The RAF just took delivery of their 5th aircraft with a 6th later this year. I would think two additional aircraft for Canada and Oz would certainly make sense from an operational standpoint, but there is always a trade off between limited dollars and operational needs.



The C-17 being greeted at RAF Brize Norton with traditional plumes of spray from the station's fire tenders
[Picture: J Readshaw]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Enssantor,

Well 4 Globemasters had enough detractors in political and left of centre circles to make even this acquisition by a minority Conservative government a big move. I had previously recommended 24 - C-17's to meet Canada's domestic and overseas requirements, with air tankers, and a host of other items including replacing our 'clapped out' Hercs. Thankfully we will be seeing more than a dozen new C-130J's in the future IF the Conservatives stay in power.

Unfortunately prior governments in the last 4-decades had run the CF down to such a deplorable level that it will take a long time with enhanced funding and support before it gets back to where it needs to be. Due to the state of things in the CF, it will take huge amounts of money to undo the damage of this neglect.

Here is the actual news release from Boeing on the receipt of the 4th C-17.
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ST. LOUIS, April 03, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] delivered the Canadian Forces' fourth C-17 Globemaster III today at the company's Long Beach, Calif., C-17 manufacturing facility, completing Canada's order for the world's most advanced airlifter.

"On behalf of all of our employees, it is with tremendous pride that we deliver, on time and within budget, this world-class airlift capability that will serve the Canadian Forces well," said Jean Chamberlin, Boeing vice president and C-17 program manager. "This C-17, which will soon join three others recently delivered to your fleet, provides Canada with unprecedented capability anywhere in the world, for both military and humanitarian operations."

Following final modifications at a Boeing facility in San Antonio, this aircraft will join the three other Canadian C-17s at the 429 Transport Squadron, based at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ontario. Boeing delivered the first two Canadian C-17s in 2007 and the third earlier this year.

"The C-17 continues to exceed our expectations in every way -- in performance, capabilities, reliability and durability," said Maj. Gen. Marcel Duval, commander, 1 Canadian Air Division. "The acquisition of this strategic-lift aircraft is a significant event, as it provides Canada with a world-class and worldwide strategic-airlift capability and provides our forces with an independent means to rapidly, reliably and flexibly move heavy equipment over vast distances. It also reduces the number of crews and stopovers required, and will alleviate the workload for the aging tactical Hercules fleet."

The C-17 is the world's only tactical airlift aircraft with strategic capabilities. Capable of flying between continents and landing on short, austere runways, the C-17 is used worldwide for both military and humanitarian missions.

Canada is the third international C-17 customer, following the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.

With its unique markings, the Canadian C-17 has a different look from U.S. Air Force C-17s previously delivered by Boeing. Those markings include the word "Canada" above the entry door, Canadian flags on the fuselage and tail, and a Canadian maple leaf on the aft part of the fuselage. The aircraft also displays the Canadian Forces' signature, "Canadian Forces/Forces Canadiennes." The signature appears in both English and French to honor the country's bilingual heritage.