Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the available strength of pilots in Indian Air Force (IAF) is sufficient to meet the current operational requirements. Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, Mr Parrikar said all pilots of IAF undergo basic survival training, which is conducted periodically. He said, the government has accorded approval for women to join as Short Service Commission officers in the fighter stream of the IAF on experimental basis for a period of five years. <br/><br/>The Defence minister said as per the scheme, women trainees undergoing stage one training at Air Force academy are required to be assessed for their suitability for entry into fighter stream. Mr Parrikar said, based on the suitability and willingness, three women trainees have been selected for stage two training. The minister said, overall shortage of pilots in IAF has been reduced to 164 as on February 1st of this year. He said, this shortage of 164 pilots is likely to be made good in next two years at the current induction rate.<br/><br/>Mr Parrikar also said that Indian Air Force derives numerous operational lessons by participating in exercises with friendly foreign countries including USA. Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Mr Parrikar said the IAF is participating in Ex Red Flag 16-1 at Alaska, USA from April 30th. He said, the exercise will be over on 13th of this month. The minister informed the House that four Sukhoi-30MKI, Four jaguars, two XIL18 aircraft, two c-17 aircraft are participating in the exercise. <br/><br/>Mr Parrikar said, the objectives of the exercise are to evaluate capabilities of platforms in a multi sensor environment and gain experience in complex mission planning and execution. He said, earlier IAF has conducted five joint air exercises with US Air force. The defence minister said these exercises have provided exposure to IAF personnel to realistic, combined and composite training in mission planning and execution in a high threat combat environment.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the available strength of pilots in Indian Air Force (IAF) is sufficient to meet the current operational requirements. Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, Mr Parrikar said all pilots of IAF undergo basic survival training, which is conducted periodically. He said, the government has accorded approval for women to join as Short Service Commission officers in the fighter stream of the IAF on experimental basis for a period of five years. <br/><br/>The Defence minister said as per the scheme, women trainees undergoing stage one training at Air Force academy are required to be assessed for their suitability for entry into fighter stream. Mr Parrikar said, based on the suitability and willingness, three women trainees have been selected for stage two training. The minister said, overall shortage of pilots in IAF has been reduced to 164 as on February 1st of this year. He said, this shortage of 164 pilots is likely to be made good in next two years at the current induction rate.