NEW DELHI (PTI): The first batch of women fighter pilots, comprising three cadets, will be inducted in the Indian Air Force on June 18.
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said three women trainee officers have volunteered to be inducted in the combat role.
"We inducted women as pilots in 1991, but on only helicopter and transport (planes). I must thank the Defence Minister for having approved the IAF's proposal to induct women as fighter pilots. Very soon...on June 18, the Air Force will get women fighter pilots.
"As of now three women trainees have volunteered to join the fighter stream. They are under the second phase of their training. Once they complete their training...they are on par with their male colleagues and the passing out parade is scheduled on June 18," Raha said.
He was speaking at a seminar on 'Women in Armed Medical Corps' organised to mark International Women's Day in New Delhi, which was also attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The Defence Ministry had cleared the proposal of inducting women as fighter pilots in October last year.
Parrikar also lauded Raha's insistence to push forward the proposal to induct women as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force.
"Though I approved and support the proposal, it was he who was consistently pushing the file to the MoD (Ministry of Defence) level.
"I congratulate you for initiating the seminar which will go a long way in deciding the role of women in uniform and not only in the Armed Medical Corps," Parrikar said.
Women fighter pilots batch to be inducted in June: IAF Chief
Article Posted on : - Mar 08, 2016
Other Related News
India, China discuss next steps in ties following disengagement process in eastern Ladakh
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi deliberated on the next steps in India-China ties, in the first high-level engagement weeks after militaries of the two sides disengaged from friction points of Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh.S Jaishankar, China, Wang Yi, India, China, Demchok, Depsang, Ladakh, Defence.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article