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NEW DELHI (PTI): US aircraft engine maker Pratt and Whitney said it has delivered the first four F117 engines to Boeing to power strategic heavy lift C-17 Globemaster III transport planes being manufactured for the Indian Air Force.

India has signed a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal worth over USD 4.1 billion with the US government for procuring 10 C-17s. The delivery of the planes will start from next year.

"Pratt and Whitney is pleased to deliver the first four F117 engines for the Indian Air Force's C-17 programmme," said it's Vice President (Military Programs and Customer Support) Bev Deachin in a statement.

"We look forward to a continued partnership with India as we complete the remaining F117 engines to fulfill this contract," he added.

The aircraft will be used by the IAF for strategic lift requirements and carrying heavy equipment to far flung areas.

The IAF intends to deploy these aircraft at the Hindon air base near here where it has also based its C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.

The IAF has already inducted six C-130Js and is in the process of acquiring six more which will be deployed at Panargarh in West Bengal.