Military transport aircraft demand is projected to remain stable through 2017 as air forces worldwide are looking to replace aging aircraft and expand their capabilities. The U.S. military continues to acquire several transport types as part of ongoing recapitalization, and Western Europe is emerging as a major customer for transports as its nations face a need to support security missions in distant regions. The heavier end of the transport market is dominated by the Boeing C-17 program. With no other Western-built strategic transport available to customers until the arrival of the Airbus Military A400M, the C-17 has the market largely to itself. The U.S. Air Force is the primary customer for the C-17 and will get its 190th aircraft by June under current plans. Another 15 aircraft will take the procurement to 205 units, with deliver- ies wrapping up next year. Congress has demonstrated a willingness in the past to fund new C-17s at the last minute, though support in Fiscal 2009 has been more difficult than in recent years.
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