The ongoing Aero India 2025 stands as a crucial platform for showcasing India’s advancements in indigenous defence production and tackling modern security threats. With a strong emphasis on Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), the event highlights the transformation of Army Aviation into a technologically superior and fully independent force, prepared to meet future challenges with cutting-edge capabilities.
Vision 2047: The Future of Army Aviation
As India progresses towards 2047, Army Aviation envisions itself as a self-reliant, technologically advanced force seamlessly integrated into multi-domain warfare.
The roadmap to achieving this transformation includes:
Full indigenisation of aviation assets, encompassing both helicopters and UAVs.
Development of next-generation combat helicopters and AI-enabled drones to enhance operational efficiency.
Seamless integration of aviation assets into modern warfare environments, ensuring a decisive edge in battle.
Expanding roles in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, and combat support, reinforcing its pivotal role in military operations.
Women Officers in Army Aviation: Advancing Gender Neutrality in Combat
The Army Aviation Corps has been at the forefront of recognising and fostering ‘Nari Shakti’, inducting Women Officers into various critical roles. This initiative not only underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to gender neutrality but also empowers women to excel in combat aviation, a domain historically reserved for men.
A landmark achievement was realised in 2022, when Women Officers were inducted into combat flying roles as helicopter pilots. This groundbreaking decision dismantled long-standing scepticism and set a precedent for women’s active participation in combat operations. Major Abhilasha Barak, one of the pioneers in this cadre, excelled in her training and was awarded the prestigious Silver Cheetah Trophy, securing the first position in the overall order of merit in her flying course.
The integration of Women Officers extends beyond rotary-wing aircraft. They have also been inducted into Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) as Observer Pilots. Currently, the Army Aviation Corps proudly includes:
13 Women Officers in Air Traffic Control duties,
8 Women Officers in RPAS operations,
9 Women Officers in flying duties, actively serving across various Army Aviation Squadrons.
Women Officers have also been deployed in active field areas, undertaking real-time operational missions that demand exceptional situational awareness, communication proficiency, psychomotor skills, and decisive leadership. Their outstanding performance has proven their capabilities on par with their male counterparts, further strengthening the Indian Army’s combat readiness.
Recognising their immense potential, the Indian Army remains committed to mentoring and empowering Women Officers, ensuring they reach their full combat potential.
The future of Army Aviation is one of technological excellence, indigenous capability, and gender-inclusive growth, ensuring that India’s skies remain secure and its forces prepared for any challenge.
(Inputs from Lt Col Suneel Bartwal ,PRO & Spokesperson ,Ministry of Defence, Jammu)
(Edited by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Sr.Broadcast Journalist, British Media & Editorial Head, Defence & Sports , NE India Broadcast)
