43.19 lakh per flying hour for C-17 aircraft, this was imprudent,” the CAG said. The operating squadron stated in September 2015 that C-17 aircraft could carry only 35 tonnes of load — 40 tonnes in winters — and on a few occasions, C-17 was tasked for only 26 tonnes. Due to this space restriction, C-17 aircraft had to undertake more than one sortie on the same day to airlift cargo from same destination, on many occasions,” the report said. The audit pointed out that IAF acquired C-17 aircraft for high load-carrying capacity with less loading/offloading time as well as to provide direct delivery of load/troops to the operating sector with least number of trips. In its report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the CAG said the operational capabilities of C-17 aircraft were underutilised partially due to non-availability of runway with appropriate pavement classification number (PCN) and lack of ground equipment at various bases.

Source: The Hindu July 26, 2016 19:41 UTC