Australia is studying the possibility of purchasing additional C-17A Globemaster III

Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith said that Australia is interested in purchasing additional transport aircraft C-17A Globemaster III. The Ministry has already sent a request to the U.S. about the possibility of purchasing additional aircraft through foreign military sales program.
The Minister noted that currently the Air Forces of Australia are 4 aircraft C-17A. The first C-17 Globemaster III "was adopted by the Air Force of Australia in December 2006. During 2007, Boeing delivered two more aircraft. Boeing has supplied Air Force Australia last, fourth military transport plane C-17 10 March 2010. Australian Air Force has repeatedly used the C-17 in various peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, particularly in Iraq, East Timor, Papua New Guinea.
To provide the necessary technical conditions for reception and maintenance of C-17, Air Force command has ordered Australia to upgrade air base Darwin Taunzvil, Edinburgh and Pearce.
Development of C-17 Globemaster III "opened in 80 years of the last century. The main requirements was to create a large transport aircraft c possibility of short takeoff and landing. The first serial C-17 entered the U.S. Air Force in 1994. Aircraft length - 53.04 m, height - 16.79 meters, wingspan - 50.29 meters, the maximum takeoff weight - 263 tons, cruising speed - 829 miles per hour, range - 4,48 thousands of kilometers, maximum altitude - 13,7 thousand meters.
The cost of one car an average of $ 258 million. C-17 Globemaster III "adopted for the U.S. Air Force, UK, Canada and Australia.