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Army could break gender bias by raising all women combat battalions: Parrikar

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 5 July 2016, 7:12 IST

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday that the Army could raise all-women combat battalions if it resists the idea of having women lead men in combat.

Speaking at an event in Delhi, Parrikar said: "In combat roles also there can be women. Why not have a complete women team, battalion of women? So the question of women officers leading a men's team, if there is question of initial resistance to it, can also be taken care of."

Parrikar said that there is huge resistance with the defence forces to the idea of women officers leading men into battle, according to The Economic Times.

He pointed out that though he had asked for a report from the forces on the role women could play in combat, it took them nearly four months to submit the report.

He added that women officers could also serve on warships. "I don't understand why we can't place women on ships. At this stage I will not support a submarine operation because (of the way) submarines are designed. But ships can be modified and new ships can be designed to have facilities for women," he said.

Women cadets could also be trained at the National Defence Academy, he added.

First published: 5 July 2016, 7:12 IST