New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the first of the ten Boeing-manufactured C-17 Globemaster-III heavy airlift transport aircraft it has on order in June 2013, before placing a follow-on order for six more. It has plans to induct as many as 20 of these strategic heavy-lifters, but currently has government sanction for 16.

Speaking to a defence magazine, IAF chief, air chief marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, said that Boeing would deliver all the 10 aircraft between 2013 and 2014, and based on operational satisfaction the IAF would then consider placing orders for an additional six.

According to the ACM, induction of all 16 aircraft should be complete by 2015.

"C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are expected to be inducted between 2013 and 2015," he said.

The air chief also clarified that though the IAF planned to acquire 20 such aircraft, as of now it had government clearance for just 16.

The IAF expects to sign contracts for an additional six C-17s sometime in 2013.

The first lot of 10 aircraft were ordered in June this year under the aegis of the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, which is a government-to-government contract.

The order is worth $4.1 billion, and includes training and support package as well as 30 per cent offset investment into India's defence programmes.

Boeing officials did mention to visiting Indian journalists at a C-17 manufacturing facility last year that the company could accelerate production and ensure deliveries ahead of schedule.

Boeing has met all US Air Force (USAF) orders and its C-17 production line will close once the last few orders are delivered over the next three to four years. The production capacity has already been halved to ten aircraft a year so that the factory can continue operations in the hope that can land some more international orders.

Even with a small number of 10-16 of these airlifters, India will be Boeing's second biggest customer for these aircraft. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), with six aircraft, is the third largest.

USAF has a total order for 223 aircraft, and uses the C-17 extensively to support combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Lockheed Martin too has delivered all six C-130J aircraft on order with the IAF before schedule and is in line for additional orders of six more. The IAF received its first C-130J in February this year and the sixth is due in November.