New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha today said that that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon be inducting women as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
"We have women pilots flying transport aircrafts and helicopters, we are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women of India," Raha said at the 83rd Air Force Day parade held at Hindon Air Force base.
Till now, women pilots have been flying transport aircraft and helicopters.
The plan to induct women into a fighting arm is a first in the three services which were earlier not open to the idea of women taking part in combat role.
IAF currently has women in seven areas of administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering -- mechanical and electrical -- and accounts.
The air force currently has about 1500 women on its rolls of which 94 are pilots and 14 navigators.
The move is in sync with global trends and will help IAF overcome shortage of officers in the fighter aircraft stream.
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