LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 26, 2011 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today the delivery of a fourth C-17 Globemaster III to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence from the company’s C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach.

Boeing delivered the UAE’s first three C-17s in May, June and July of this year and will deliver two more in 2012.

The C-17 — the world’s leading tactical and strategic airlifter — provides the UAE military with the versatility and reliability needed to complete its mission requirements.

“The C-17 is the ideal choice for us, as it can handle the vast distances and climate extremes in which our aircraft operate,” said Col. Staff Engineer Ahmed Al Mazmi, who officially accepted the fourth C-17 for the UAE.

“Boeing and its partnership of suppliers worldwide are proud that the UAE continues to show its commitment to the C-17,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 program manager. “Every humanitarian mission that the UAE Air Force flies around the world with its C-17s is another confirmation of the unique capabilities of this airlifter.”

The UAE’s first three C-17s have been engaged in multiple global missions to deliver humanitarian aid to the victims of natural disasters, and have supported military missions where needed and requested by allies.

The C-17 is able to transport payloads up to 170,000 pounds, can fly 2,400 nautical miles without refueling and can be used to transport troops and brigades for airdrop missions and to conduct aeromedical evaluations.

As a member of the worldwide C-17 “virtual fleet,” the UAE’s C-17s are supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a performance based logistics program. The GSP “virtual fleet” arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers — with varied fleet sizes — access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale when purchasing materials.

Boeing has delivered 235 C-17s worldwide — 211 to the U.S. Air Force, including active duty, Guard and Reserve units, and 24 to international customers including the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Qatar Emiri Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India’s Ministry of Defence will acquire 10 C-17s that will be delivered in 2013-2014.