In the context of a new edition of the Paris Air Show, the U.S. company Boeing has announced that it is evaluating the possibility of restarting production of its C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, reflecting growing interest from potential customers in the platform. Although discussions between the manufacturer and potential buyers are still at a very early stage, the development would represent a significant boost for the company more than ten years after delivering the last of these aircraft to the U.S. Air Force—aircraft for which no direct successor has been developed by the company.
Specialized media report that Boeing is particularly interested in opportunities presented by the European market, where various rearmament plans in response to the Russian threat could lead to new acquisitions of the U.S. aircraft. Without specifying the country involved, Boeing confirmed that negotiations are already underway with at least one potential buyer, underscoring this renewed interest.
Among the official statements on the matter, Torbjorn Sjogren, current Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Global Services – Government Services, said: “It’s an extraordinary effort (referring to restarting aircraft production), but as a reflection of the aircraft’s utility, it’s something we’re currently considering with one particular country that has raised the possibility.”
In the absence of further confirmation, and even though there is mention of growing interest among European clients, it is reasonable to assume that one of the potential buyers could be Japan. It is worth noting that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is currently evaluating options to replace its problematic C-130R aircraft, which are responsible for transporting supplies to its most remote islands, such as Iwo Jima and Minamitorishima. As reported last April, the Ministry of Defense was already assessing the feasibility of such a purchase at the request of the Prime Minister, prompting various concerns about the costs and the need to adapt many Japanese airstrips for C-17 operations.
For now, despite Boeing having discontinued C-17 production, it is important to highlight that a large number of units remain in service with various armed forces around the world—especially with the U.S. Air Force, but also in countries like Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. In concrete figures, the company estimates that there are 267 aircraft in total, which continue to be supported under the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), dedicated to providing long-term maintenance and support for users of this heavy strategic airlift platform.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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There will be no future C17 production. All of the production tooling, which was owned by the US Air Force – not Boeing, was cut up and scrapped years ago. All of it, including very specialized production tooling.
The C17 production facility is now being used by Relativity Space.
Restarting C-17 production is a fantasy. It is not going to happen.
They can’t Even finish the Air Force 1 project on time. It’s a joke. All bowling has offered is cost overruns excuses and delays and more overruns and more delays and more excuses. I wouldn’t trust Boeing to manufacture a lawn mower
In fact, if it were my decision, we’d go to the other American manufacturer. McDonnell Douglas
They can’t Even finish the Air Force 1 project on time
Saudi Arabia brought this up, Japan has been brought up, other European possibilities since NATO only has a few dedicated C-17s. Tooling, forms and such are kept and not cut up. Restarting production would be a task, not impossible