Defence ministry approves induction of women as fighter pilots

The defence ministry has approved the Indian Air Force's proposal to induct women as fighter pilots, and the first batch of women fighter pilots will be selected from the current batch at the Air Force Academy.

"Ministry of Defence Approves induction of women into the Fighter (Combat) Stream," defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said in a tweet.

"The first women pilots in the fighter stream of IAF will be selected from the current batch at AF Academy," he said in another tweet.

Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Air Force Day on October 8, announced that women would soon be inducted as fighter pilots, making IAF the first of three services to announce they would have women in combat roles.