“We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women of India”.
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Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday said his son was very much interested in the Indian Air Force (IAF) but it was early to say if he would like to join it.
When contacted by Quartz, India’s defence ministry spokesperson said that he wasn’t aware of the announcement. However, they were allowed to fly transport aircraft and helicopters in the Air Force. Other fighter aircrafts, including Jaguar and SU-30, also took part in fighter fly past.
It was only in 2008 that the government chose to grant permanent commission to women in specific departments, mostly desk-based ones: legal, education, accounts and air traffic controllers. The Indian Air Force was founded as a Auxillary force of the Royal Air Force of the British Indian empire with the enactment of Indian Air Force Act on October 8, 1932.
Interestingly, Air Chief Raha had final yr rejected the thought of women as fighter pilots as they weren’t bodily suited to fly fighter planes, particularly when they’re pregnant or produce other well being points. “Many air forces have women fighter pilots”, he said.
“The role of IAF is not only limited to fighting a war but also rendering timely assistance during national crisis”.
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The 1.3 million-strong armed forces have 59,400 officers.
