Indian Air Force To Induct Women To Fly Light Combat Helicopter

On October 3, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully inducted Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand' into its fleet. Now the IAF is planning to instate women officers to fly these choppers. More 10 of these choppers will be inducted soon.

IAF officials in a report said that the women officers will be appointed for fleet of Light Combat Helicopters lady officers are already flying the Advanced Heavy Lifter (ALH) helicopters. Few of them are being identified for induction into the fleet.

Women To Fly Light Combat Helicopter

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, while announcing the scheme for inducting females as soldiers said, “We as an organisation are gender agnostic and recognise merit and performance above everything else. A high ratio of women officers in the IAF is testimony to our commitment to providing equal opportunity and a level playing field for every individual irrespective of gender.”

Air Force in first announced women candidates joining the force at the personnel below officer Ranks level. Earlier, only Navy and Army made announcements of appointing women at such level.

Prachand was inaugurated into the Indian Air Force at Jodhpur airbase in an event attended by Defence minister Rajnath Singh, CDS General Anil Chauhan and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

Rajnath Singh the helicopter Prachand, which means fierce. He pointed out that the helicopter can operating day and night, this will add a significant edge to the IAF's combat capabilities as it can hit enemy targets with precision. Singh, who also flew the LCH, added it is suitable for all kinds of operations and work in all possible conditions. The LCH is a combat helicopter developed indigenously in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

HAL claimed that the light combat helicopter is the only helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16400 ft), including a considerable load of weapons and fuel. This fulfils all the specific requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.

The chopper becomes very important at this crucial point, where India and China are locked in a military stand-off at certain friction points in eastern Ladakh. The helicopter is well-equipped with the requisite agility, extended range, high-altitude performance and all-weather combat capability.

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