The Indian Army has assigned the first batch of female officers to its combat stream, which will begin in May. The Indian Army decided to induct women into the Regiment of Artillery in January.
“Of the close to 40 female officers about to graduate from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, close to ten have been assigned to the Artillery,” a source said.
This month’s passing out parade at the OTA will see trainee officers commissioned into the various arms of the Indian Army. Officers will report to their assigned units after spending some time at home on leave.
Army Inducting Women in Combat Arms
In January, the Indian Army decided to begin inducting women into combat arms in the near future, beginning with the Regiment of Artillery. According to the Ministry of Defence, the combat employment philosophy of women in the armed forces is an evolving process that is being reviewed on a regular basis.
After the infantry, the Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, with close to 300 units. Artillery is also referred to as an ‘Arm of Decision,’ thanks to its missiles, guns, mortars, rocket launchers, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Women officers are currently denied permanent commissions in Infantry, Armoured, Artillery, and Mechanised Infantry.
Women in the Indian Army
The Indian Army has 1,705 women officers in 10 arms and services, including the Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Army Air Defence, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch, and Army Education Corps, as well as the Armed Forces Medical Services.
In June 2016, the Indian Air Force pioneered the induction of women into combat roles, with three female officers commissioned as fighter pilots. To date, the IAF has commissioned 15 female fighter pilots. Women are now being inducted into the force in all combat roles.
The Indian Navy has decided to open every branch of the service, including submarines and aviation, to women officers beginning in December 2022, and the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) beginning in 2023, in accordance with its gender-neutral approach. The Indian Navy has already assigned 28 female officers to ships. Women officers serve in combat roles on naval aircraft and ship-borne helicopters.
Getting ready to join “Arm of Decision”
- Over 40 female policemen are on the verge of fainting.
- Around ten of them will enlist in the artillery.
- With about 300 units, the Regiment of Artillery is thought to be the second-largest arm after the infantry.
- Another name for artillery is “Arm of Decision.”
- 10 Arms and Services have 1,705 female officers.
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