Thursday, 8 October 2015

IAF will have Women Fighter pilots

India will have WOMEN Fighter Pilots - Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. On the occasion of 83rd anniversary of the INDIAN AIR FORCE, announcement was made by Air Chief Marshal. With this Women Air Force pilots would be brought into Combat rolesfor the first time in the history of Indian Defence.

Air Chief Marshal reviewed the IAF Day Parade and flypast at Hindon Air Force Station. While addressing, he 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 of India". India till now not allowed the women officers, who have been serving in armed forces since early-1990s, to have any combat role. So,while they could fly transport aircraft and helicopters but were not allowed to fly fighter palnes.



Similarly, Women  Officers in other two services too have been kept away form combat roles. In Navy, they cannot serve on warships and submarines and in Army, they cannot join the infantry, armoured corps or artillery.

Main reason for their denial in combat role was physical toughness. But with the technological advancement making traditional attributes redundant for fighting roles, women officers have been making a push to be allowed into combat roles.

A number of women pilots have proven themselves flying helicopters and transport aircraft to high risk rescue and other mission. They have also flown sorties of AN-32 aircraft to DBO in Ladakh.

It was along term demand from the women pilots to allow them as fighter pilots and permanent commission instead of short-service commission. So it was a good move by the IAF in keeping the future needs in mind..

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