Armed forces may soon have more streams for women, hints AK Antony

After the armed forces granted permanent commissions to women officers in some of their branches, defence minister AK Antony today said more streams would be opened up for them.

"At a meeting with service chiefs, I told them to open up more. Now, they are processing the possibility of opening up more streams in the three services for the lady officers... Next step will be that more streams will be opened up for the lady officers in the armed forces," Antony told reporters after meeting a team of women mountaineers of Indian Air Force (IAF).

Two years ago, the armed forces had decided to grant permanent commission to women officers in some of their branches including legal, education and accounts.

The defence minister said, "The momentum will gather in the years to come but the things are moving (towards allowing women in more branches)".

The induction of women into the armed forces started in early 90s as Short Service Commission (SSC) Officers and they constitute less than 10 per cent of the officer cadre in the services.

At present, women are not allowed to serve in combat divisions like infantry, artillery or armoured corps and serve onboard operational warships or fly fighter jets. IAF has over 50 woman helicopter and transport aircraft pilots.

In the army, women are allowed to serve and handle weapons systems in the Air Defence Corps which is considered a support arm for the troops in the combat role.