The C-17 deal is nothing. The next thing that is going to happen is Aus and Canada are going to be the next to purchase the F/A-18 E/F. Like the C-17 there is no one else who can afford these pieces of equipment, and no one else who wants it.
Here is how it works:
As the JSF continues to disappoint (time and weight), you can bet there will be a need in the USN to replace the airplanes that have 6-7000 hours each (F/A-18 C/D) and way too many arrested landing. As well, the USMC will not cave on the no super hornets. The rub is that not a single red cent will come out of the JSF program for new Super Hornets. The only way the Navy will get to tomorrow, is to replace thier wrecked airplanes to get to the full IOC of the JSF. To do this they are going to come knocking for the upgraded Canadian and AUSSIE F-18 A's. They (USN and Boeing) are going to come with 60-80 Super Hornets at about a 45 Million price tag in exchange for the beaters.
This is all going to start when the Indian Air Force's feighnt to purshase the Super Hornet falls flat. Within months you will see the USN and Boeing come knocking in Ottawa and Brisbane (I think..) where they will propose an "Interim" measure to get those air forces to the JSF arrival, and that will make everyone happy (read: Keep the St Louis line open for a while longer).
Or not.
"If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster." The Rookee