Women set to join Indian Navy in combat role

Kochi, Nov 27 (UNI) Opening up more avenues for women, the Indian Navy has decided to induct them in combat roles and also offer permanent commission from this year, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command (SNC), Sunil K Damle said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Vice-Admiral Damle said that the first two women officers, to be inducted in combat role, had finished their basic training recently and are to start the advanced combat training at INS Garuda here next month.

After about ten months' of advanced training, the two women officers would become the first in the history of the Indian Navy to be deployed on shore based maritime reconnaissance aircraft, operating all onboard weapons and sensors.

From this year, the Navy had also decided to offer permanent commission to women in the Law, Education and Naval Construction branches. So far, women were being offered permanent commission only in the Medical branch, he said.

UNI ARC DK1600