IAF's Boeing C-17 Globemaster, cargo plane that can carry 20 Elephants: IN PICS

The C-17 Globemaster is a cargo plane made by the US-based Boeing Defence and can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world. The plane is known as a sturdy, long-haul aircraft that delivers heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. 

The C-17 Globemaster has a payload capacity of up to 164,900 pounds (74,797 kg) and can drop a single 60,000-pound (27,216-kilogram) payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 pounds (49,895 kilograms).

The C-17 Globemaster can take off from a 7,740-foot (2359.15-meter) airfield and can land in 3,000 feet (914 meters) or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night. It can also fly 6,230 nautical miles with no payload and can refuel while in flight.

 

Carry a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1  

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster is 169.8 ft (51.74 m) wide, has an overall length of 174 ft (53.04 m), Height of 55.1 ft (16.79 m) and a Fuselage diameter 22.5 ft (6.86 m).

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster is powered by four Pratt & Whitney PW2040 (military designation F117-PW-100) turbine engines with 40,440 pounds thrust each.  

The Indian Air Force has inducted multiple Boeing-made C-17 Globemaster aircraft in its fleet, deployed in strategic locations to serve high-altitude locations in J&K. Many of these Globemasters are used for troop movement at Leh airbase. 

A Boeing C-17 Globemaster being accompanied by the Indian Air Forces' Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets during Republic Day parade over Rajpath in Delhi. 

Currently, 275 C-17s operate around the world with the United States Air Force being its biggest customer having 223 planes in 12 bases. Outside, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, India and the 12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability all operate the C-17 Globemaster III.