In an exemplary move, the Indian Air forces (IAF) is planning combat role for women by inducting them as fighter aircraft pilots. “We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women in India,” Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on Thursday addressing the air warriors as the Indian Air Force celebrated its 83rd anniversary.
Describing it as a “progressive step”, Air Chief Marshal Raha said he does not see any “incongruence” in women fighting in a real combat scenario. The IAF’s proposal is with the Defence Ministry, he told reporters. The plan to induct women into a fighting arm is a first in the three services. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had in May ruled out recruiting women for combat operations in the armed forces due to apprehensions on their safety.
Asked what steps would the IAF take if a woman fighter pilot is shot down across the border, he said they “need not necessarily” go across. “We have a lot of roles for fighter pilots or fighter aircraft within the country, especially air defence, training, qualified flying instructor. If the need arises, they will also do proper combat roles,” he said.
IAF currently has women in seven areas of administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering - mechanical and electrical - and accounts. The air force has over 1,300 women on its rolls of which 94 are pilots and 14 navigators.