Hindon (UP):
Indian Air Force is now planning to induct women into the fighter aircraft stream, IAF Chief Arup Raha has said.
He said the IAF has women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. But it is mulling to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women in India, Raha said on the occasion of the 83rd anniversary of IAF.
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 1500 women in seven areas of administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering — mechanical and electrical — and accounts.
As many as 94 of them are pilots and 14 navigators.