Women's representation has increased in armed forces: Minister

There are 2595 women officers in three branches of Indian armed forces and their representation has increased progressively over the years, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply, he said "the number of women officers in Army, Navy and Air Force (excluding medical streams) are 1214, 302 and 1079 respectively."

The minister said the women are inducted in all branches of the armed forces except for those involving combat duties and there is no separate fixed sanctioned strength for them.

Their recruitment takes place within the overall authorised strength of officers' cadre of respective service.

In reply to a question over funds for indigenous production of defence equipment, Antony said for 2012-12, Rs 5850.9 crore had been sanctioned for the purpose.

Rs 5983.93 crore had been sanctioned for procuring equipment from foreign sources, he said.