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India to induct first batch of 3 women fighter pilots this month

Xinhua, June 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

In a landmark move, India will induct the first batch of three women fighter pilots into its Air Force later this month, sources said Thursday.

"The three women cadets will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force as fighter pilots on June 18 in the presence of Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar," the sources said.

After getting commissioned, the three women fighter pilots -- Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi -- will undergo a one-year training to enter a combat jet's cockpit, they added.

The trio were actually part of a six-member women team that competed for getting inducted into the Air Force as fighter pilots -- three others could not make it this time.

India for the first time allowed the entry of female cadets into fighter cockpit in October last year after the Defense Ministry gave its nod to an Air Force scheme to take in women combat pilots. Endit