The Royal Air Force (RAF) announced on December 3, 2007, that a GBP 130 million contract was signed with the Boeing Company for a sixth C-17 Globemaster III strategic heavy transport aircraft.

The RAF already operates a fleet of four leased C-17 aircraft and purchased a fifth example in 2006. Boeing had announced construction of the fifth aircraft had begun in June 2007 and factory roll out to take place this month with its first flight scheduled for January 2008. Delivery is scheduled for mid-February 2008. In 2004 the MoD announced the intention to buy the four leased aircraft when the current lease agreement ends in mid-2008. The sixth C-17 aircraft will enter service in summer 2008. The additional aircraft will join the existing fleet of 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, giving the RAF the much needed boost in strategic airlift capability.