India to Get First Batch of Female Fighter Pilots on 18 June

“Three women trainees have volunteered to join the fighter stream, they are under training,” said IAF Chief Arup Raha

On International Women’s Day, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that India will see its first batch of female fighter pilots on 18 June 2016.

As of now, three women trainees have volunteered to join the fighter stream. They are in the second phase of their training. The passing out parade is scheduled on 18 June.

Arup Raha, Air Chief Marshal

Asserting that the three trainees should get commissioned on that day and become the first women officers in the fighter stream, Raha added that subsequently they will move to advanced jet training, and later proceed to the regular squads.

Raha at a seminar on women in uniform in the Army Medical Corps said,

I must thank the Defence Minister for approving IAF’s proposal to induct women as fighter pilots. On 18 June, the Indian Air Force will get its first woman fighter pilot.

He asserted that it was the AMC that first provided the opportunity to women to serve in the defence forces after which, floodgates have opened for women to prove their mettle.

However, in March last year, Raha had said that women are physically not suited to fly fighter planes.

As far as flying fighter planes is concerned, it is a very challenging job. Women are by nature not physically suited for flying fighter planes for long hours, especially when they are pregnant or have other health problems. 

Later he changed his stand saying he had “no doubt” that women could become fighter pilots.

(With ANI inputs)