On International Women's Day, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that the nation will see its first batch of female fighter pilots on June 18 this year.
"As of now three women trainees have volunteered to join the fighter stream. They are under the second phase of their training. Once they complete their training and are at par with their male colleagues and the passing out parade is scheduled on June 18th," Raha said on International Women's Day.
Asserting that all the three trainees should get commissioned on that day and become the first women officers in the fighter stream, Raha said that subsequently they will go to the advanced jet training, and later proceed to the regular squads.
The government had in October lat year approved their induction in combat roles.
"I must thank the defence minister for having approved IAF's proposal to induct women as fighter pilots and very soon on June 18 this year, Indian Air Force will get its first woman fighter pilot," Raha said at a seminar on women in uniform in the Army Medical Corps here.
He asserted that it was the AMC who first provided the opportunity to women to serve in the defence after which, the floodgates have opened for women to prove their mettle.
"As of now three women trainees have volunteered to join the fighter stream. They are under the second phase of their training. Once they complete their training and are at par with their male colleagues and the passing out parade is scheduled on June 18th," Raha said on International Women's Day.
Asserting that all the three trainees should get commissioned on that day and become the first women officers in the fighter stream, Raha said that subsequently they will go to the advanced jet training, and later proceed to the regular squads.
The government had in October lat year approved their induction in combat roles.
"I must thank the defence minister for having approved IAF's proposal to induct women as fighter pilots and very soon on June 18 this year, Indian Air Force will get its first woman fighter pilot," Raha said at a seminar on women in uniform in the Army Medical Corps here.
He asserted that it was the AMC who first provided the opportunity to women to serve in the defence after which, the floodgates have opened for women to prove their mettle.