Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said the IAF would have female fighter pilots, under a proposal that is awaiting approval from the Defense Ministry.
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India on Thursday celebrates 83rd Air Force Day on October 8, at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad where the IAF puts its might on display.
“However, men and women are treated equally in the Air Force. The others are in administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering – mechanical and electrical – and accounts. Historically, women were excluded from fighter pilot positions, like other combat positions, out of fear they would be subject to rape or torture in the event they were captured by an enemy. The Indian Air Force’s women officers either serve in technical and ground branches, or fly transport aircraft and helicopters.
But earlier, in March 2014, ACM Raha had still a few issues with employing women in the IAF.
Thursday’s announcement by the IAF chief came close on the heels of a Delhi High Court order last month that allowed women naval officers a permanent commission. The IAF chief announced this on the 83rd anniversary of the air force.
Stating that the IAF is in favour of giving an opportunity to women to fly fighter jets, Raha also said: “They are all capable”.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Friday that family of Sartaj, son of Dadri victim Mohammad Akhlaq, has been moved to an Air Force accommodation. “They will be flying the Sukhoi once they can spare time”, Naik had said, as reported by India Today. Raha’s statement has opened up the possibility about taking to the skies in fighter jets.
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Women pilots have also proven themselves with the Ilyushin IL-76 heavy-lift transport aircraft, referred to in the Air Force as “Gajraj”, in hard sorties to Leh.
