Article Posted on : - May 25, 2012

The RAF's latest C-17 Globemaster takes off from the USA heading for RAF Brize Norton. Photo: Boeing.

LONDON (BNS): UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) on Thursday received the new C-17 transport aircraft.

The £200 million C-17 transport aircraft was unveiled by the Defence Secretary at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

This aircraft is the eighth C-17 in the RAF's fleet and plays a vital role in sustaining the UK's airbridge with Afghanistan - carrying supplies and passengers into and out of the country.

"This latest addition to the RAF fleet will further strengthen the airbridge between Britain and the front line. Its giant frame can carry three Apache helicopters or a Chinook helicopter," Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, was quoted as saying in a UK MoD news report.

The C-17's huge capacity means it can carry loads weighing up to 70 tonnes - equating to three Warrior armoured vehicles, or even a Tornado fast jet.

"The Royal Air Force's C-17 fleet, together with Voyager and the A400M aircraft, will be the mainstay of the Royal Air Force's Air Transport Force for the next decade on the transition of our venerable TriStar and VC10 aircraft," Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton said.