Hyderabad: Defence Minister A K Antony
on Thursday said more and more youth were joining the Indian Air
Force after opting out of corporate jobs, indicating
willingness and a change in GenNext.
"As many as 40 engineers have left corporate jobs and
joined the Indian Air Force this year and the situation
indicates changing trends among youth," Antony, who was the
chief guest at the passing out parade of 175 combined
graduates of IAF in Dundigal Airforce station, told reporters.
Also, the number of women flying officers in the
IAF has gone up to 37 as against 20 last year, he said adding
six were given pilot training and rest of the women officers
were allotted ground duty or administration jobs in the force.
After inspecting guard of honour from new-commissioned
officers, Antony said aerospace power has been undergoing many
changes and the officers should be geared up to acquire the
knowledge of application and exploit it to the optimum.
"The security environment in the region has
necessitated the induction of sophisticated and costly
equipment in our armed forces. The onus will be on all of you
to handle them with care and efficiency," Antony told the
officers.
Of the total 175 who graduated today, 105 cadets were
trained as pilots, 12 were trained as navigators and 58 were
given administration, Air Traffic Control, Accounts and other
branches. Air marshal V R Iyer was also present during the
function.
PTI
