New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI): In a landmark move, government today approved induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force, the first time when women would be in combat role in the country's armed forces.
The first women fighter pilots would be selected from the batch which is presently undergoing training at the Air Force Academy, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
"This progressive step is in keeping with the aspirations of Indian women and is in line with contemporary trends in armed forces of developed nations," the Ministry said.
It said that the performance of women, inducted into transport and helicopter streams of the IAF, has been "praiseworthy" and at par with their male colleagues.