Boeing delivered a 5th C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defense earlier this month.

The UAE accepted delivery of 4 C-17s in 2011 and has one more airlifter on order for delivery later this year.

“It's amazing to see all that the UAE has accomplished with its fleet of C-17s in such a short time, including standing up a new base; qualifying three aircraft commanders and four mission-ready loadmasters; and conducting humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift Vice President and C-17 Program Manager.

“We're proud to be a part of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense mission long after each C-17 is delivered. With a mission-capable rate above 90 percent, UAE C-17s are ready to save lives and deliver hope whenever they are needed,” he added.

The UAE, Boeing's 6th international C-17 customer, received its first airlifter on May 10, 2011. Since that time, the UAE Air Force and Air Defense C-17 fleet has amassed more than 2,000 flight hours and carried more than 3,000 passengers and nearly 4 million pounds of cargo.

As a part of the worldwide C-17 “virtual fleet”, UAE’s C-17s are supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), a Performance-Based Logistics agreement. The GISP arrangement provides the highest airlift mission-capable rate at one of the lowest costs per flying hour.

Boeing has delivered 243 C-17s worldwide, including 216 to the U.S. Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 27 C-17s have been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India has 10 C-17s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014.