After the induction of the transport aircraft on Monday, the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony said “negotiations are underway to have a more practical and effective mechanism to prevent face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops on the LAC. Efforts are being made to have confidence building measures.”

The unfortunate face-offs between Indian and Chinese armies take place due to difference in perception about the Line of Actual Control (LAC), he said.

Antony said efforts were being made to have more understanding between the two armies. “Apart from diplomatic channels, we are trying to have better understanding between the militaries. Besides having a greater number of border personnel meetings, there are many other CBM proposals between the two armies”, he said.

The Army, he said, is free and it handles such incursion incidents effectively whenever they take place. He was replying to questions on the incidents of face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops along the LAC and recent video footage in that regard. As long as border issue is unsettled, there is a possibility of both sides going to the areas of their perception of the LAC. Even though the border is uncertain, there is understanding but there are more than a dozen disputed sites along the border, the Minister said.

The Induction ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including the Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Arup Raha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command Air Marshal SS Soman, the US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell and other Senior Officials of the IAF, USAF and air warriors of the newly formed C-17 squadron “SKYLORDS”.

Describing the induction of the C-17 Globemaster III in the Indian Air Force as a ‘defining moment’, Antony said, “With this, the IAF has taken a giant stride towards its goal of acquiring multi- spectrum strategic capabilities, essential to safeguard India’s growing areas of interest”.

Antony said the government had expedited the process of procuring 10 C-17 Globemaster III from the United States as apart of the Foreign Military sales programme because it was felt that there was a need for a capable strategic airlift platform.

He said the rapidly evolving geopolitical environment around us calls for a robust national security architecture.

“Traditional Challenges to our national security have evolved into complex multi-dimensional threats. A long-term comprehensive capability enhancement approach by and for our Armed Forces is the need of the hour. On its part, the government remains fully committed to this responsibility”.

Lauding the stellar role played by the IAF in rescue and relief operations during the recent Uttarakhand flash floods, he said, “Today’s induction of C-17 will further boost IAF’s capability for Humanitarian Assistance and Diaster Relief”.

Referring to the Indo-US strategic partnership, Antony said the induction of C-17 adds another important milestones in this relationship.

Recalling the journey embarked by the IAF to fulfill the futuristic needs of Air operations, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said “The induction of ten C-17 aircraft promises to be a game changer on how we conduct air transport operations. The C-17 fleet will provide tremendous flexibility in terms of operational response options in any future campaign. The long range, heavy lift capability will allow the commanders to induct Troops, squadrons, Re-locate Forces as well as shift forces between theatres rapidly”. The C-17 would form an extremely important component of the strategic airlift capability and reach of the IAF.

On the raising and the beginning of the new chapter of 81 Sqn the Air Chief said “The SKYLORDS join a very unique group of officers and me of our Transport squadrons who bring with them a legacy of Honour, Dedication and sacrifice with a mandate to uphold the highest professional standards of IAF”. He further exhorted them saying “keep the work ethos of IAF foremost as you prepare yourselves to complete every mission with Honour and Pride”.

The government accorded approval to buy 10 C-17 Globemaster III along with associated equipment for the IAF in June 2011. The first of the 10 aircraft touched down in India on 18th June 2013 and the delivery of all 10 is expected to be completed by November 2014. This aircraft will enhance the operational potential of the IAF with its payload carriage and performance and would augment the strategic reach of the nation during Operations, Disaster Relief or any similar mission. The induction of the C-17 is a major milestone in the modernization drive of the IAF.

Presently three aircrafts have been delivered and are operational. The newly inducted C-17 Squadron (81 Squadron) will be based in Hindan.