The 83rd Indian Air Force Day Celebrations at Hindon

“We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspiration of young women of India”, said IAF chief, Arup Raha.

Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fires flares during a Vertical Charlie maneuver at the Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force base near New Delhi, India, Thursday, October 8, 2015. The priority would be for the armed forces to first accept that women are equal to the extent of their being awarded permanent commissions rather than the short service which alone they are entitled to now. Female officers usually serve in the logistics, meteorology, navigation, education and engineering departments. Historically, women were excluded from fighter pilot positions, like other combat positions, out of fear they would be subject to rape or torture in the event they were captured by an enemy. Perhaps this is what prompted ACM Raha to say that women would not necessarily be sent on cross-border combat missions in case of hostilities.

He said that unlike the army and navy, the air force operates in a different environment.

Meanwhile, celebrations are underway at the Hindon Air Force Base.

Raha presented the Vayu Sena medal (gallantry) to 13 air force personnel, including two posthumous.

Tendulkar was made an Honorary Group Captain in the IAF in 2010.

Similarly Raha, who had said in March that women are physically not suited to fly fighter planes, said on Thursday that he has “no doubt” that women could become fighter pilots.

With technological advancements making traditional attributes like physical toughness redundant for fighting roles, women officers have been making a push to be allowed to take up an increased role in the armed forces.

Meanwhile, responding to a poser about the protest by the residents of Pakistan occupied Kashmir against the Pakistani Government, Parrikar said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken up this issue.