India: Women Can Join The Garud Commando Force

The Indian Air Force has decided to induct women into its Garud commando force, which is its Special Forces unit. This is a historic decision as the Air Force has allowed women officers to join the Garud Commando Force for the first time.

Officials from the Air Force have also reportedly revealed that women officers who meet the criteria for selection will be allowed into the elite force, a decision that was taken by the top command last year.

The Special Forces units of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are considered to be the best of their kind in the world and are tasked with a variety of important missions including counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and other covert operations.

The Garud Commando Force was formed only in 2009 and has since been deployed for various operations including anti-piracy duties off the coast of Somalia.

The decision to induct women into this elite force comes after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had admitted women into the fighter stream a few years ago.

The IAF has now allowed women to fly helicopters and transport aircraft as well. The Garud Commando Force, the elite Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has grounded in its first batch of women combat pilots. This is a historic move as women in uniform are no longer on the fringes but are being assigned central roles on par with their male counterparts.

They are flying fighter planes, serving on board warships, being inducted in the PBOR cadre, and eligible for permanent commission and the first batch of women candidates is currently undergoing training at the National Defense College.

This is a great leap forward for women in the armed forces and it augurs well for India’s national security.