Article Posted on : - Feb 15, 2012

A Royal Air Force C-17. Photo: UK MoD

LONDON (BNS): The UK Ministry of Defence will buy an additional C-17 Globemaster, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

The MoD will be able to purchase an additional C-17 for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as there are savings, the Prime Minister told Parliament.

"This aircraft is becoming an absolutely brilliant workhorse for the RAF in terms of bringing men and material into a war zone like Afghanistan, but also evacuating civilians in times of need," he said.

The aircraft, which will cost in the region of £200m, will be based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the MoD said.

The C-17 being built by Boeing will increase the number of aircraft in the RAFs fleet to eight. It is expected to enter service with the RAF in July.