Government says no to women in combat
December 14th, 2009 - 8:15 pm ICT by IANS ( Leave a comment )New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The government Monday said there is no proposal to induct women in combat roles in the Indian armed forces.
“At present there is no proposal to induct women in combat duties in the defence forces including that of fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
“A study, carried out by headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff in 2006 on all aspects of employment of women officers in the armed forces, recommended exclusion of women officers from close combat roles,” he said.
The minister, however, added: “This is not final. We are committed. We are sincere and I am sure in course of time they will be able to join combat duties. Gradually we are moving towards that.”
Currently women are in eight streams in the armed forces barring combat roles. The government had granted permanent commission to women last year.
In 2007, a total of 398 women were inducted in the armed forces, in 2008 the figure was 399 and in 2009, 432 women were commissioned.
- Armed forces considering greater role for women officers: Antony - Jun 10, 2011
- 'Permanent commissions for women only in select branches' - Nov 23, 2011
- Now, a military school for girls in the pipeline - Aug 07, 2011
- 'Night witches' or mere symbols? India debates induction of women fighter pilots - Dec 17, 2009
- Antony flags delays in Russian defence supplies - Oct 05, 2011
- Advanced version of indigenous combat jet by 2015 - Feb 09, 2011
- IAF vice chief apologises for remarks on women fighter pilots - Nov 19, 2009
- New planes' induction will reduce air crashes: Antony - Feb 05, 2011
- Indian Navy to commission its first women navigators - Nov 19, 2009
- Up above the world so high, IAF in the sky (Oct 8 is the IAF's 78th anniversary) - Oct 07, 2010
- Antony pays tribute to martyrs of Leh on Independence Day-eve - Aug 14, 2010
- Defence ministry panel to consider combat jet deal next month - Sep 22, 2011
- First women navigators commissioned in Indian Navy (With Images) - Nov 20, 2009
- More study before taking in women fighter pilots: IAF chief - Mar 10, 2011
- Forces in internal security only as last resort: Antony - Feb 02, 2010
Tags: antony, close combat, combat roles, defence forces, defence minister, defence staff, fighter pilots, indian air force, indian armed forces, Lok Sabha, New Delhi, permanent commission, proposal, reply, streams, women in combat
