New Delhi: The Government has decided to induct women into the fighter stream of indian Air Force on ‘experimental basis’ for a period of five years.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said 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).
The minister said that it is envisaged that the women trainees undergoing Stage-I training at Air Force Academy would be assessed for their suitability.
Based on the suitability and willingness, these women trainees would be selected for Stage-II training in the fighter stream.
Upon successful completion of Stage-II training, these women trainees are likely to be commissioned into the fighter stream in June, 2016, he said.
The induction of women as fighter pilots in Indian Air Force was cleared on October 24 by the government in a landmark move for the armed forces which had so far dithered over combat role for women.
