January 13, 2021
1 min read

Indian Army to have women pilots

Women will be inducted as pilots in the Army Aviation Corps from next year, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Tuesday.

Till now, women are only part of ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps.

Women pilots would be flying helicopters to forward locations and be part of operations at the borders, the Army Chief said, adding that the proposal has been cleared.

The Indian Air Force has 10 women fighter pilots. In the Indian Navy, women pilots are flying the Dornier aircraft and also as observers on board helicopters and P8I surveillance aircraft.

Other than the 10 fighter pilots, the IAF has 111 women pilots who fly transport planes and choppers.

During his annual press conference in New Delhi, General Naravane said: “Last month, I had initiated a proposal that women officers can be recruited to Army Aviation. The next course which will begin in July this year, will induct women for training purposes in flying branch and after one year they will be able to join in operational duties.”

The Indian Army raised the Army Aviation Corps on November 1, 1986 and it comprises helicopters that fly in conflict and peace zones.

The Aviation Corps is critical for the Indian Army as it is pressed into action for evacuation of injured troops during operations or health emergencies in high altitude areas.

Army Aviation Corps choppers are also used for reconnaissance, observation, casualty evacuation, essential load drops, and combat search and rescue.

The helicopters participate in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the country. The corps has played an important role in the past in operations like Kargil but has also been at the forefront carrying out varied tasks during the ongoing India-China military standoff in Ladakh.

Also Read-Macron to invest $600mn in space

Previous Story

Black box of ‘Sriwijaya’ retrieved

Next Story

No troops reduction by Chinese on border

Latest from -Top News

UAE-India pact fuels future biz leaders

MoU between ADSM and UIBC-UC to foster entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collaborative research between UAE and India through 2028 In a landmark partnership aimed at cultivating the next generation of global business leaders,

‘1,563 Indians deported from US so far’

Though the ministry did not specify the reasons behind the deportations, the figure reflects a sharp uptick in removals under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement…reports Asian Lite News More

Why TRF’s Terror Tag Matters

This wasn’t just counterterror—it was a signal. India fused intel, precision strikes, and tech for a swift, strategic blow. TRF wasn’t just named—it was hit….writes John Spencer  Today, July 17, 2025, the

Jaishankar Hails TRF Terror Tag

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the official announcement on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News Reacting to the US designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a
Go toTop