Government gives the go-ahead for IAF Women Fighter Pilots

Government gives the go-ahead for IAF Women Fighter Pilots :
First in Cockpit by Mid-2017

On Saturday the Government approved the induction of women into the combat stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Ministry of Defence announced that the induction process will begin with women from the current batch being trained at the Air Force Academy (AFA). The first women fighter pilot will be in cockpit in June 2017.

The government announcement comes a fortnight after Air Chief  Marshal Arup Raha said a proposal to induct women into the fighter stream had been mooted with the Ministry of Defence. Currently women pilot of IAF fly transport aircraft and helicopters.

Announcing the go-ahead, ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar, in a statement said : "The Ministry of Defence has approved the induction of women into the fighter (combat) stream of IAF. This progressive step is in keeping with the aspirations of Indian women and in line with contemporary trends in armed forces in developed nation," the statement said.

On October 8, addressing the gathering on the Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said: "We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into fighter stream to meet the aspiration of the young women of India".

According to the Ministry statement, the induction of the women pilot into combat stream will begin from the current batch training at the Air Force Academy (AFA). "After successful completion of ab-initio training, they would be commissioned in the fighter stream in June 2016. Thereafter, they would undergo advanced training for one year and would enter the fighter pilot cockpit by June 2017" the statement said.

The IAF has about 100 women pilots serving as transport and helicopter pilots. The statement said a comprehensive review of induction of women in short service as well as permanent commission has been undertaken.