'Rise in women pilots making IAF more robust & balanced':Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the increasing presence of women pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF) is making the force more robust and balanced, as he hailed the growing participation of female officers across operational and leadership roles during the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal.
Addressing newly commissioned officers after reviewing the parade of the 217th course, Singh said gender equality in the Air Force had moved beyond policy discussions and was now visible on the ground. Change is visible."It gives me great joy to see that gender equality in the Indian Air Force is no longer just a concept; it has become a reality," the Defence Minister said. He added that women officers were setting new standards of excellence across different branches of the force and reflected the confidence and The Defence Minister also spoke at length about the meaning of patriotism, describing it not as a public display but as a commitment reflected through discipline, teamwork and devotion to duty.He said the habits developed during training, from early morning routines to supporting fellow officers and maintaining professional standards, represented the true spirit of service to the nation.Singh also pointed to the rapid evolution of warfare and the growing influence of technology on modern battlefields. The battlefield is changing.

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnesses air display by IAF pilots during Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Telangana pic.twitter.com/U0z4Kaqnbf

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2026

According to him, conflicts today are increasingly shaped by systems such as drones, satellites, sensors, robotics and advanced surveillance networks, reducing the visibility of conventional soldiers and weapons. He said future threats may extend beyond traditional military targets and could involve critical civilian infrastructure, including traffic management systems and surveillance networks.The minister urged the young officers to study emerging warfighting doctrines closely and remain prepared for uncertain situations. Learn continuously.
He advised them to adapt, adopt and amend when required, while stressing the importance of innovation, execution and operational excellence. Every conflict unfolding across the world, he said, should be viewed as a learning opportunity for military professionals preparing for future challenges.Expressing confidence in the training received at the academy, Singh said the new generation of officers was well equipped to deal with rapidly changing security environments and technological disruptions.
The Defence Minister also praised Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, describing him as a tested military leader capable of guiding the force through a period of significant change. He said he was confident that under the Air Chief's leadership, the Indian Air Force would continue to scale new heights as India works towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.Singh also noted that the Indian Air Force has repeatedly demonstrated its capabilities beyond conventional military operations and has played a critical role in ensuring the safety of foreign nationals during wartime emergencies and evacuation missions.