The U.S. Air Force is advancing plans for a Next Generation Airlift (NGAL) platform, set to replace the C-17 and C-5 fleets by the mid-2040s, presenting challenges for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates the world’s second-largest C-17 fleet. The IAF, having acquired 11 C-17s for critical missions, had hoped to revive production but now faces rising sustainment costs without domestic heavy-lift alternatives. As the USAF consolidates its platforms to enhance efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs, India might consider second-hand C-17s or alternatives like Airbus A400M, although the operational requirements in high-altitude regions complicate such transitions. This development underscores the evolving dynamics of Indo-U.S. defense relations amidst global competition, necessitating a recalibration of India’s long-term airlift strategy.