By IANS
New Delhi : Women pilots will also be able to join the Indian Air Force for a short service commission, Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram announced Thursday.
The flying officers joining the IAF under the Short Service Commission will be able to serve up to 14 years but with no extensions, Chidambaram told newsmen after a union cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The decision, Chidambaram said, is being taken "to help in overcoming the shortages in flying branch and to enhance the SSC strength in the branch".
The cabinet approved a proposal of the defence ministry of "making both men and women eligible for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the flying branch of Indian Air Force (IAF)", the finance minister said.