HIGHLIGHTS
- The two will be the first women officers to be deployed on Navy warships
- They are training to operate a host of sensors on Navy’s helicopters
- IAF has also shortlisted a woman pilot to operate its fleet of Rafales
Indian Navy has choosen two woman officers as crew for helicopters, which will make them the first woman air combatants to stay on and operate from the deck of a ship once deployed as per report.
The Navy said Sub Lieutenants Riti Singh and Kumudini Tyagi have been selected. They are supposed to work out on the threat and find out the target.
However, the Indian Air Force, the first branch of the armed forces to put women in combat roles, is set to deploy a woman pilot to the Ambala-based 17 Squadron that has recently been equipped with the new Rafale aircraft, according to sources.
Notably, Sub Lt Singh and Sub Lt Tyagi were awarded golden wings in a ceremony at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
“Things are changing in the Indian Navy every day. The navy is giving everybody an opportunity every day. Yes, we’re breaking barriers every day but there are a lot of opportunities coming up every day. Whatever role the Indian Navy gives us, we will gladly take them,” Sub Lieutenant Singh, a fourth generation armed forces officer, told NDTV. Her father had retired from the navy several years ago.
“Our training has been really rigorous. We’ve both completed over 60 hours of training…. We take pressure and tension bang on. We don’t get worked up,” she said.
Chief Staff Officer , said at the ceremony that it is a remarkable occasion as first time women are going to be trained in helicopter operations. Which will eventually pave the way for their deployment in frontline warships of the Indian Navy.
“We’ve been treated equally… Whatever training our male counterparts received, we went through the same training… It is a huge responsibility, the task is challenge. We are looking forward to it,” Sub Lieutenant Tyagi.
