Boeing has delivered Kuwait’s first C-17 Globemaster III airlifter, an aircraft that will expand the country's air force capabilities in military and civilian operations, including humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

A custom paint design distinguishes the Kuwait C-17 from the 259 others that have been delivered to customers around the world, said a statement from Boeing.

Boeing has delivered 260 C-17s, including 223 to the US Air Force, and a total of 37 to Kuwait, Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of Nato and Partnership for Peace nations.

“The C-17 meets the unique airlift requirements of the Kuwait Air Force,” said Colonel Abdullah Al Foudari, the deputy commander Kuwait Air Force.

“With this airlifter we can more effectively participate in the operations we choose, transporting large payloads across long distances, flying at high altitudes in hot climates such as ours, and landing on short, unpaved runways,” he remarked.

“When this C-17 arrives to deliver humanitarian aid or disaster relief anywhere in the world, people in need will know that the aid came from Kuwait,” said Colonel Abdullah.

Boeing said it will support Kuwait’s C-17 fleet through the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program, a proven multinational Performance-Based Logistics program.

“We welcome Kuwait to the global C-17 fleet with the knowledge that this aircraft elevates the Kuwait Air Force’s airlift capabilities and also further strengthens Boeing’s relationship with Kuwait,” noted Nan Bouchard, the vice president and C-17 program manager. “We will support this C-17 long after today’s delivery,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service