After 16 women fighter pilots it's not an 'experiment' anymore
India Today
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the government has decided to convert the 'experimental scheme' for induction of women fighter pilots into a permanent one.
With 16 women fighter pilots commissioned into the Indian Air Force, what started as an experiment has become a permanent feature. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the government has decided to convert the experimental scheme into a permanent one.
This means the decks are cleared for more women flying fighter jets in future.
"The Ministry of Defence has decided to convert the experimental scheme for induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent scheme. It is a testimony to the capability of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ and our PM Modi's commitment towards women empowerment," Rajnath Singh said.
In Republic Day parade the first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh was seen on the IAF tableau. Last year, Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.
The experimental scheme to induct women fighter pilots was started in 2016. Initially, three women fighter pilots were part of the first batch but numbers increased. Now there are 16 women pilots flying fighter jets like Rafale, Su30 MKI and MiG 21 Bison.
Combat roles in the armed forces that were only a male domain opened up for women with their inclusion as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force in 2015.
The army has also opened its aviation branch to women and the Navy has women officers onboard warships.Other avenues are opening up as well. The Indian Army last year promoted five women to the rank of colonel who completed service of 26 years.
