Paris, June 19 - Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has initiated discussions to potentially restart production of the C-17 Globemaster III, a strategic airlifter renowned for its ability to transport heavy cargo and troops to austere environments worldwide. The talks, described as being in their "early infancy," were confirmed by Turbo Sjogren, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Global Services-Government Services, during the 2025 Paris Air Show. This development comes a decade after the last C-17 rolled off the production line in Long Beach, California, in 2015, marking the end of a program that began in 1991 under McDonnell Douglas and continued under Boeing following their 1997 merger. The prospect of reviving this production line reflects growing global demand for heavy-lift capabilities amid evolving geopolitical tensions and the absence of a direct successor to the C-17.
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The C-17 Globemaster III is a versatile aircraft, capable of operating from short, unprepared runways while carrying substantial payloads, including tanks, military trucks, and medical supplies. Its strategic and tactical airlift capabilities, combined with features like low-observable characteristics for operations in hostile environments, have made it a cornerstone of air forces in nine countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and India. The U.S. Air Force relies on the C-17 as its primary strategic lift platform, with recent deployments to the Middle East underscoring its ongoing relevance. Boeing’s sustainment efforts, supported by contracts like a $2.46 billion modification awarded in April 2025, ensure the global fleet remains operational through program management, engineering, and depot-level maintenance.
Restarting production, however, presents significant challenges. The C-17 production line has been dormant for ten years, requiring Boeing to reestablish supply chains, rehire or train skilled labor, and potentially modernize manufacturing processes. Sjogren emphasized the "extraordinary effort" needed, noting that while interest from multiple countries exists, no specific customers have been publicly named. The lack of a planned replacement for the C-17, coupled with aging fleets like the U.S. Air Force’s C-5 Galaxy, may drive demand, but competitors like the Airbus A400M, though not a direct equivalent, add complexity to the market landscape. Additionally, Boeing’s recent financial and operational challenges, including a 9.2% revenue drop since 2022 and scrutiny following high-profile incidents, could constrain resources for such an ambitious undertaking.
The potential revival of C-17 production aligns with broader industry trends, as nations seek to bolster military capabilities in response to global security concerns. Boeing’s showcase of the C-17 at the 2025 Paris Air Show, alongside other defense platforms like the F-15EX and KC-46A, underscores its strategic focus on defense innovation. If these talks progress, a restarted C-17 line could not only meet international demand but also reduce costs for potential U.S. Air Force orders, extending the aircraft’s legacy into the 2040s and beyond. For now, the discussions remain preliminary, but they signal a pivotal moment for Boeing and the global airlift market.