What took the Indian Air Force so long to allow women to become fighter pilots?

October 10, 2015 19:42

India's Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced this week that the Indian Air Force will start allowing women to become fighter pilots. News of the decision, which came on Thursday, means women pilots, who already fly helicopters and transporter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, will be able to take part in combat as well.

Many countries already allow women to be fighter pilots; Col. Jeannie Leavitt became the US's first female fighter pilot in 1993 and the UK wasn't far behind in employing women fighter pilots in 1994. Pakistan welcomed Ayesha Farooq as its first qualified female fighter pilot in 2013.

So why did it take the Indian Air Force so long to follow suit?

Read more HERE

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Unstoppable Narine Taking IPL By Storm!

Sunil Narine has proved to be unstoppable, blazing his way to 461 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 183, with a century and three fifties.

Jadeja Or Chahar? Who Bowled Better?

Jadeja, Chahar, Harshal, Tushar, Mitchell... Who gets your vote?

Gavaskar Slams Kohli, Star Sports

An angry Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at Virat Kohli over his criticism of commentators, who had questioned his strike rate in T20 cricket.

PBKS not out of play-off race yet: Harshal

The pacer praised Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh for helping PBKS recovering in the second inning after losing two quick wickets.

In Pictures - Narine fires KKR past LSG and to the top of IPL

Images from Sunday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, in Lucknow.