India says air force to have female fighter pilots by 2017
NEW DELHI (AP) — India's air force will have its first female fighter pilots by 2017, the Defense Ministry said Saturday.
The decision was made because Indian female pilots' performances have been "on a par with males" in flying transport aircraft and heavy-lift helicopters, the ministry said in a statement.
Female pilots will begin training next year and enter a fighter cockpit by 2017, the statement said.
India's air force currently has women serving in seven areas — administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering and accounts.
Women fly fighter jets in several nations, including the United States, France and Israel.
