Women empowerment in the Indian Armed Forces is in its early stages, with just 10 fighter pilots out of 1,875 women officers in the IAF, as per Ministry of Defense data. The approval for the induction of women as fighter pilots was granted by the Ministry in 2015. Here are 5 facts about the IAF’s women’s participation in the Republic Day Parade.
- Woman Power Takes Flight at Republic Day Parade!
Leading the Indian Air Force’s marching contingent at the Republic Day parade on January 26 at the Kartavya Path will be Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur, a Fighter Controller. The aerial flypast, featuring the recently introduced C-295 transport aircraft, will include Tejas and SU 30 MKI combat jets, with operations conducted by fifteen female IAF pilots on various platforms.
- All-women controllers
Squadron Leader Thakur will be accompanied by three women supernumerary officers, namely Squadron Leader Sumita Yadav, Squadron Leader Pratiti Ahluwalia, and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil. Fighter controllers, including these officers, play a crucial role in coordinating with fighter pilots on various aspects of air operations. Among the 15 women pilots participating in the fly-past and operating various platforms, six will be from the fighter streams.
- Women on Su-30
Su-30 pilots Flight Lieutenant Ananya Sharma and Flying Officer Asma Sheikh will be featured on the tableau. Flight Lieutenant Sharma, whose father was an IAF MiG-21 fighter pilot, expressed, “It is a dream coming true for me. It is going to be a special moment.
- Women on C-295
Two women aircrew members will be at the controls of the C-295 transport aircraft. Recently inducted into the IAF, the C-295 is a transport aircraft that will be manufactured in India.
- IAF’s R-day theme
The IAF tableau’s theme is “Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar,” which translates to “Indian Air Force: Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant.” The Republic Day flypast will feature a total of 51 IAF aircraft, including 29 fighter jets and 13 helicopters.