222 Aircraft, 8 Countries: The Global C-17 Fleet by the Numbers

The C-17 Globemaster III operates in eight countries around the world, with 272+ aircraft forming the backbone of Western strategic airlift capability. While the United States operates the vast majority, partner nations have recognized that the C-17’s unique capabilities are worth the significant investment. Here’s a comprehensive look at who flies the C-17 and why.

United States: 222 Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force operates the world’s largest C-17 fleet, distributed across Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve units.

Operational History

• First delivery: 1993 (developmental aircraft)
• Initial operational capability: 1995
• Final delivery: 2013 (production ended)
• Planned service life: Through 2075

Mission Profile

U.S. C-17s perform the full range of missions:

• Strategic airlift (transcontinental cargo movement)
• Tactical airlift (direct delivery to forward locations)
• Aeromedical evacuation
• Airdrop operations (personnel and cargo)
• Humanitarian relief
• Special operations support

United Kingdom: 8 Aircraft

The Royal Air Force operates C-17s from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Acquisition History

• First aircraft: 2001 (leased)
• Purchase: Original 4 aircraft purchased, expanded to 8
• Designation: C-17A Globemaster III

Operations

RAF C-17s have supported operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Mali, and numerous humanitarian missions. The aircraft proved so valuable that the UK expanded from an initial purchase of 4 to the current fleet of 8.

Unit

99 Squadron operates all RAF C-17s, continuing a history dating to 1917.

Australia: 8 Aircraft

The Royal Australian Air Force operates C-17s from RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

Acquisition

• Order: Initial 4 aircraft, expanded to 8
• First delivery: 2006
• Designation: C-17A Globemaster III

Operations

Australia’s C-17s support regional operations across the vast Indo-Pacific theater:

• Disaster response throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
• Support for Australian Defence Force deployments
• International coalition operations

Unit

36 Squadron operates the RAAF C-17 fleet.

Canada: 5 Aircraft

The Royal Canadian Air Force operates C-17s from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.

Acquisition

• Contract: 2006
• First delivery: 2007
• Designation: CC-177 Globemaster III

Operations

Canadian C-17s support both NATO operations and domestic requirements:

• Arctic resupply and sovereignty operations
• International deployments
• Disaster response within Canada and internationally

Unit

429 Transport Squadron operates the CC-177 fleet.

Qatar: 8 Aircraft

The Qatar Emiri Air Force operates one of the larger international C-17 fleets.

Acquisition

• Initial order: 4 aircraft (2008)
• Expansion: 4 additional aircraft (2012)
• Total fleet: 8 aircraft

Operations

Qatar’s C-17s support the nation’s ambitious foreign policy:

• Humanitarian aid delivery worldwide
• Support for coalition operations
• Rapid deployment capability

United Arab Emirates: 8 Aircraft

The UAE Air Force and Air Defence operates C-17s alongside a diverse transport fleet.

Acquisition

• Order: 6 aircraft initially, expanded to 8
• First delivery: 2011

Operations

UAE C-17s support regional operations and humanitarian missions throughout the Middle East and beyond.

India: 11 Aircraft

The Indian Air Force operates the second-largest non-U.S. C-17 fleet from Hindon Air Force Station.

Acquisition

• Initial order: 10 aircraft (2011)
• Additional aircraft: 1 (2017)
• Total: 11 aircraft

Operations

India’s C-17s address unique requirements:

• High-altitude operations to airstrips in the Himalayas
• Rapid deployment across the subcontinent
• Disaster response (frequent flooding, earthquakes)
• Evacuation operations (notably from Afghanistan and COVID-impacted countries)

Unit

81 Squadron “Skylords” operates the Indian C-17 fleet.

Kuwait: 2 Aircraft

The Kuwait Air Force operates the smallest national C-17 fleet.

Acquisition

• Order: 2 aircraft (2010)
• Delivery: 2014

Operations

Kuwait’s C-17s provide strategic airlift capability for a nation that learned hard lessons about military logistics during the 1990 invasion.

NATO Strategic Airlift Capability: 3 Aircraft

The Heavy Airlift Wing at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, operates three C-17s shared among 12 nations.

Participating Nations

Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States (support role).

Operating Concept

• Nations purchase flight hours based on investment
• Multinational crews operate the aircraft
• Missions allocated based on priority and availability
• Provides strategic airlift to nations that couldn’t afford individual aircraft

Global Fleet Summary

Common Support

All C-17 operators benefit from shared sustainment programs:

Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program

• Boeing-operated support contract
• Shared spare parts pool
• Common engineering support
• Coordinated depot maintenance

Interoperability

Common aircraft enable:

• Shared training programs
• Combined operations
• Mutual support during surge operations
• Technology sharing and best practices

Why Nations Choose the C-17

Despite the high acquisition and operating costs, nations choose C-17s for compelling reasons:

Unique Capabilities

• No other aircraft combines strategic range with tactical delivery
• Outsized cargo capability unmatched by alternatives
• Short field performance for austere operations

Proven Reliability

• Decades of operational experience
• Mature support infrastructure
• Known operating costs

Alliance Benefits

• Interoperability with U.S. forces
• Access to shared support programs
• Participation in coalition operations

Why It Matters

The global C-17 fleet represents a shared capability among like-minded nations. When crises emerge, these 272+ aircraft can respond from bases around the world, delivering relief supplies, deploying military forces, or evacuating civilians.

For operators, the multinational community provides mutual support, shared learning, and combined capability that exceeds what any single nation could achieve alone. The C-17 isn’t just an aircraft—it’s a network of capability spanning eight nations and dozens of operating locations worldwide.