Lok Sabha Question No. 183 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-06
Subject: Women Pilots
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.183

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  MAY, 2016

## WOMEN  PILOTS

- *183.  SHRI  BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

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- (a) whether adequate number of aircraft  for training of pilots have been inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether IAF is facing shortage of pilots including women pilots in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the remedial measures taken / being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  specialised  programmes  including survival techniques for women pilots, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether women fighter pilots  have  also been  inducted  in IAF,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e) the other steps taken / being taken by the Government to bridge the gap between sanctioned and actual strength of pilots and to bring gender parity in the Air Force?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                   (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

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(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 183 FOR ANSWER ON 6.5.2016

At  present  adequate  number  of  trainer  aircraft  are  available  for training of  pilots  in  the  Indian  Air  Force  (IAF).    The  details of  trainer aircraft are as follows:

Pilatus PC-7 :

For Basic Flying Training

Kiran Mk I/IA :

For Intermediate Fighter Trainer

Hawk 132 :

For Advanced Fighter Training.

The  available  strength  of  pilots  in  IAF  is  sufficient  to  meet  the current operational requirements.

All pilots of IAF undergo basic survival training  conducted periodically.    Post  trifurcation  of  Fighter,  Transport  and  Helicopter streams,  survival  training  and  drills  are  again  conducted  in  the respective streams. Women  pilots undergo the same  training imparted to the male counterparts.  In addition, male & women pilots also  undergo  same  type  of  specialised  Jungle  and  Snow  Survival Course.

Government  has  accorded  approval  for  women  to  join  as  Short Service  Commission  officers  in  the  fighter  stream  of  the  Indian  Air Force  on  experimental  basis  for  a  period  of  five  years.    As  per  the scheme, such women trainees undergoing Stage-I training at Air Force Academy are required to be assessed for their suitability for entry into fighter  stream.    Based  on  the  suitability  and  willingness,  03  women trainees have been selected for Stage-II training.

Overall  shortage  of  pilots  in  IAF  has  been  reduced  to  164  as  on 1.2.2016.  This shortage of 164 pilots is likely to be made good in next two years at the current induction rate.  IAF follows a gender neutral policy for recruitment of pilots.  All opportunities that are available to join the IAF are extended to both men and women candidates.

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