New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) is soon going to commission women pilots in fighter streams from June 2016 on an "experimental basis".
The minister of state for defence Rao Inderjit Singh told Lok Sabha on Friday that the decision is valid only for five years.
Singh was responding to a question in the Parliament, saying: “All women pilots in the IAF are cleared for all operational roles including Low Level Tactical Flying, Para Drop, Air Maintenance (Northern & Eastern Sector) and Special Heli-Borne Operation (SHBO). Women pilots also undergo jungle and snow survival course.”
The women trainees who are undergoing Stage-I training would be assessed for their suitability. Then, according to their suitability, the trainees would be selected for further training, being eventually ready to get commissioned into the fighter stream in June, 2016.
In October, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had said that that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon be inducting women into fighter streams as fighter pilots.
"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 had said at the 83rd Air Force Day parade held at Hindon Air Force base.
Till now, the women pilots have only been flying transport aircraft and helicopters.
The plan to induct women pilots into a fighting arm is first of its kind in the three services that were previously not open to the thought of women taking part in combat role.
IAF currently has women pilots 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 payroll of which 94 are pilots and 14 navigators.
