NEW DELHI: Navy will begin deploying a small batch of women Agniveers, who now number 1,119 in the force, as sailors on frontline warships, towards end-Feb to join the almost 50 women officers already serving on them.
Lt Commander Prerna Deosthalee is also set to soon take over as the first woman commanding officer of a warship — the 260-tonne fast-attack craft INS Trinkat on the western seaboard — after completing her “pre-commissioning training” that’s underway.“In a few weeks from now, when she (Deosthalee) takes command of the warship, she will set course in uncharted waters for women, but will lead the way for many more to follow,” Navy’s controller personnel services Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh said Wednesday.
Navy has around 680 women officers, which includes the around 50 deployed on major warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates, while several are also serving in its aviation wing apart from other streams. The 1st batch of women cadets has also joined 10+2 BTech course at IN Academy at Ezhimala.Women Agniveers, in turn, number around 15% of the total 7,687 inducted under the Agnipath Scheme. While the first two women batches graduated last year from the basic training establishment for sailors, INS Chilka, the third batch will pass out in March.
Lt Commander Prerna Deosthalee is also set to soon take over as the first woman commanding officer of a warship — the 260-tonne fast-attack craft INS Trinkat on the western seaboard — after completing her “pre-commissioning training” that’s underway.“In a few weeks from now, when she (Deosthalee) takes command of the warship, she will set course in uncharted waters for women, but will lead the way for many more to follow,” Navy’s controller personnel services Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh said Wednesday.
Navy has around 680 women officers, which includes the around 50 deployed on major warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates, while several are also serving in its aviation wing apart from other streams. The 1st batch of women cadets has also joined 10+2 BTech course at IN Academy at Ezhimala.Women Agniveers, in turn, number around 15% of the total 7,687 inducted under the Agnipath Scheme. While the first two women batches graduated last year from the basic training establishment for sailors, INS Chilka, the third batch will pass out in March.