In a first, two women officers have been selected to join as ‘Observers’ (Airborne Tacticians) in the Indian Navy’s helicopter stream, paving way for gender equality.
Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt Riti Singh would, in effect, be the first set of women airborne tacticians in India who would operate from the deck of warships.
Earlier, entry of women was restricted to the fixed wing aircraft that took off and landed ashore. Women were, thus far, not embarked on warships for lengthy durations due to reasons such as- lack of privacy in crew quarters and the availability of gender-specific bathroom facilities.
It is expected that the two officers will eventually fly on the navy’s new MH-60 R helicopters, 24 of which are on order. Widely considered the most advanced multi-role helicopters of their class in the world, the MH-60R is designed to detect enemy ships and submarines which can be engaged using missiles and torpedoes.
The two are a part of a group of 17 officers of the Navy, including four women officers and three officers of the Indian Coast Guard, who were awarded ‘Wings’ on graduating as ‘Observers’ at a ceremony held today at INS Garuda, a Defence statement said. The group comprised 13 officers of Regular batch and four woman officers of Short Service Commission batch.
The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief Staff Officer (Training) who presented the awards and coveted wings to the graduating officers.
The Rear Admiral Antony highlighted the fact that it was a landmark occasion wherein for the first-time women are going to be trained in helicopter operations which would ultimately pave way for the deployment of women in frontline warships of Indian Navy.
This news comes on a day when it has emerged that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has shortlisted a woman fighter pilot to operate in its fleet of Rafale fighter jets. Operational conversion of this officer has begun, though it is unclear when she would be declared ‘operational’ with the IAF’s Golden Arrows squadron in Ambala.
