Defence ministry approves induction of women fighter pilots in Indian Air Force

[anant_s]

Indian Air Force women officers lead a marching contingent during the Indian Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force base near New Delhi.(AP File Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force will now have women as fighter pilots. The ministry of defence on Saturday approved the induction of women into the fighter (Combat) stream of Indian Air Force.

The first women pilots will be selected from the batch which is presently undergoing flying training at the Air Force Academy.

According to the statement issued by the MOD, the first batch will be commissioned into the fighter stream in June 2016. "They will then undergo advanced training for one year and would enter a fighter cockpit by June 2017," the statement said.

"We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women in India," Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had said at Hindon air force station on the IAF's 83rd anniversary earlier this month.

A 2010 high court verdict had granted women officers the right to permanent commissions but this has not been fully implemented. The IAF's initiative is a significant victory for those fighting for equal rights for women in the armed forces.

The first women pilots in the Fighter stream of IAF will be selected from the current batch at AF Academy. pic.twitter.com/xqbTJgdrnu

— Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) October 24, 2015

Defence ministry approves induction of women fighter pilots in Indian Air Force - The Times of India

@levina @Abingdonboy @kurup @GURU DUTT @Chanakya's_Chant

 

[kasper95]

Right step, I hope to see them flying combat heli's ,and then LCA in future.

 

[vayuputhra]

May god bless them, I pray to god that they be safe and don't bring embarrassing moments for our army or our country, what if these lady pilots are caught by our enemies, forgot about captain kalia?, I would like women deployed in navy as it is the best arm which has more technical work then physical bravery, they are best suited for communication side or drone opraters, or even missile operators, what if these women in the war time complain of physical problems, there will be lot of sexual harrasement cases, and the boys will hesitate to follow the orders of a women officers, it may be OK in peace time, can a women stay starving on the glaciers during war, I wish all points will be considered before taking a desition.