LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 24, 2013 -- The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fourth Boeing [NYSE: BA] C-17 Globemaster III departs for India from Long Beach on Oct. 19, keeping the company on track to deliver a total of five advanced airlifters to the IAF this year.

Boeing will deliver five more C-17s to India in 2014 to complete the contract.  

Since its first flight in 1991, the C-17 has amassed more than 2.6 million flying hours airlifting troops and large cargo, delivering humanitarian supplies by precision airdrop, and performing lifesaving aeromedical missions. Most recently, the IAF used its C-17s to support Cyclone Phailin relief efforts.

Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition to the remaining C-17s for India, the company will build 15 more for other customers outside the United States. Boeing will continue after-delivery support of the worldwide C-17 fleet as part of the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program Performance-Based Logistics agreement.

Boeing has delivered 258 C-17s, including 223 to the U.S. Air Force and a total of 35 to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.