IAF to have women fighter pilots soon: Air Chief

October 08, 2015 10:35

Women pilots will soon fly fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on thursday.

"We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters, we are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women of India," the air chief on the 83rd Air Force Day.

In the past, the Air Force had refused to allow women in fighter squadrons because of fears of torture if they were shot down in combat.

If they do change their rules to make a historic leap, the IAF will be the first to have women in active front-line combat.

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