New Delhi: In a groundbreaking move, the Navy is gearing up to deploy a group of women Agniveers on warships starting this year in February. Currently numbering 1,119 in the force, these women will join the nearly 50 women officers already serving on frontline warships. Lieutenant Commander Prerna Deosthalee is poised to make history as the first woman commanding officer of a warship, specifically the 260-tonne fast-attack craft INS Trinkat on the western seaboard. She is set to take over after completing her ongoing "pre-commissioning training."

Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, the Navy's controller personnel services, remarked on Wednesday, "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."

The Navy currently has approximately 680 women officers, including those deployed on major warships such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates. Additionally, several women serve in the aviation wing and other branches. The first batch of women cadets has recently joined the 10+2 BTech course at the Indian Navy Academy in Ezhimala.

The Women Agniveers, constituting around 15% of the total 7,687 individuals recruited under the Agnipath Scheme, represent a significant milestone in the Navy's commitment to gender inclusion and diversity.

This update comes after the Navy's choice to enlist women as sailors through the Agnipath recruitment initiative, reflecting the commitment to the "all roles, all ranks" approach. Presently, over 1,000 women Agniveers are actively fulfilling diverse roles, and approximately 40 women officers are lending their expertise on warships. This marks a significant rise from 2021, when the Navy reintroduced women officers to warships after a 25-year gap, initially assigning four to these roles.

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