India inducts world\'s biggest military transport plane into defence forces

India Monday inducted into its defense forces the world\'s biggest military transport plane, C-17 Globemaster III, in a bid to spruce up the country\'s Air Force\'s capability to move combat personnel and tanks to battle fronts as swiftly as possible. Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony formally inducted the 70- tonne C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft into service at the Hindon Air Base, 30 kms from the national capital. \"The plane\'s induction is a giant stride for the force and it will perform tactical and non-traditional operations also,\" he said. The U.S.-made plane can carry around 150 fully geared troops and is slated to replace the aging Russia-made IL-76. So far, India has got three C-17 transport planes and is expected to receive seven more by the end of next year under a deal inked with the United States in 2011.