Ten NATO members and Partnership for Peace nations Sweden and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets, Boeing announced today.
Signed Sept. 24, the agreement under the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO Airlift Management Agency "sets the stage for NATO's first major defense purchase in 30 years," according to the company.
Two of the airlifters would be bought from Boeing. while the U.S. Air Force would provide the third C-17. It would be assigned to NATO's Heavy Airlift Wing and jointly operated by the nations from Pápa Air Base, Hungary. The first aircraft delivery could take place as early as spring 2009.
The 12 countries participating in NATO's Strategic Airlift Capability program would share in the costs, allowing them to share a pooled fleet, according to Boeing.
Signed Sept. 24, the agreement under the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO Airlift Management Agency "sets the stage for NATO's first major defense purchase in 30 years," according to the company.
Two of the airlifters would be bought from Boeing. while the U.S. Air Force would provide the third C-17. It would be assigned to NATO's Heavy Airlift Wing and jointly operated by the nations from Pápa Air Base, Hungary. The first aircraft delivery could take place as early as spring 2009.
The 12 countries participating in NATO's Strategic Airlift Capability program would share in the costs, allowing them to share a pooled fleet, according to Boeing.
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Does this mean the Air Force is going to give NATO one of our C-17's paid for with American taxpayers money or sell them one? It seems the U.S. supports NATO in the range of 75% and our allies 25%. That would be just more of our money going to NATO who seldom does much of anything worthwhile as it is. Also The Commander of our Air Force has asked for at least ten more of the Boeing transports so giving or even selling one appears contrary to our own national support.