The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to place orders for ten Boeing C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters this month.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of India, the final authority for major defence and other acquisitions, could approve the estimated $4.1bn deal at its next meeting.
Funds for the purchase of the C-17s have already been approved for the 2010-11 fiscal period.
Boeing India’s outgoing vice-president Vivek Lall confirmed that the detailed terms for 30% mandatory offsets clause have been accepted, but declined to disclose financial details.
The IAF fleet of Soviet vintage heavy strategic lift IL-76 aircraft are currently being modernised and will serve for ten to 15 more years.
India has 20 IL-76 aircraft and the IAF may eventually go in for about 25 C-17s, according to the Economic Times.
