“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 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 that 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, 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.