Another male bastion in the Indian Navy will fall Friday when two women will be inducted as navigators in the flying branch, in a way also becoming the first women combatants in the armed forces.

That honour goes to Sub Lieutenants Ambica Hooda of Haryana and Seema Rani Sharma of Uttar Pradesh who will henceforth fly as navigators on the Indian Navy's multi-role Dornier aircraft that are used for transportation and aerial surveillance.

"In the navy the job of a navigator is also that of a combatant as, unlike in the air force, all our fixed wing aircraft can be used for combat purposes. Our Dornier aircraft are also capable of firing," a navy spokesperson told IANS, requesting anonymity.

"This is for the first time that women are being commissioned as navigators in the Indian Navy. It is a proud moment as both of them have completed their training with flying colours,"

The navigator's job is challenging. Apart from keeping track of the aircraft's position at all times, the navigator's responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the pilot of the estimated timing to destinations while en route and ensuring that weather hazards are avoided.

Women currently can hold permanent commissions only in the Armed Forces Medical Services, where they can serve up to a maximum age of 58 years if they rise to three-star rank. Otherwise, women can only hold short service commissions that enables them to serve a maximum of 14 years in the support arms of the three services.