First women fighter pilots likely to start with Mig 21 Bisons: IAF chief

The three women fighter pilots set to be commissioned in a fighter squadron in December are likely to fly Mig 21 Bisons, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said on Sunday.

"According to me they will be sent to Mig 21 Bison (squadron). This will enhance their skills. I am not saying that twin cockpit fighters do not require skills, but your piloting skills are enhanced when you fly manually," Dhanoa said at a press conference on 85th Air Force Day.

The first three women fighter pilots - Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi - are about to complete their training, and are to be commissioned in a fighter squadron in December.

Another batch of three women pilots have started fighter pilot training as well.

The Indian Air Force, in June last year, commissioned three women as fighter pilots.

Women form a very minor section in the armed forces, with the IAF having the highest number at 1,350 followed by the army with 1,300 and the navy with 450 women officers, according to official information.

The 1.3 million-strong armed forces have 59,400 officers.

--IANS

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