DOHA/LONG BEACH, California: Faced with stiff competition from rivals and tough budgetary environments on the part of customers, Boeing, the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced to close the C-17 final assembly facility by 2015 as it will complete production of 22 remaining C-17 Globemaster III over the next couple of years.
However, the Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the manufacturer of the aircraft, will continue to provide after-delivery support services worldwide for C-17 fleet as per agreements singed with parties, said a press statement.
Qatar is among the few select countries that own the world’s most capable airlifter. Since September 15, 1991, Boeing has delivered 257 units of C-17s, including 223 to the US Air Force, and 34 to Australia, Canada, India, the UAE, the UK, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of Nato and Partnership for Peace nations, including Qatar.
“Ending C-17 production was a very difficult but necessary decision,” said Dennis Muilenburg, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “We want to thank the highly skilled and talented employees who have built this great airlifter for more than two decades and those who will help us as we continue to build the remaining 22 aircraft and support and modernise the global fleet for decades to come. The C-17 remains the world’s most capable airlifter with unmatched readiness and cost effectiveness.”
The C-17 has amassed more than 2.6 million flying hours supporting airlift of troops and large cargo, precision airdrop of humanitarian supplies and lifesaving aeromedical missions.The Peninsula
