India's air force will have its first female fighter pilots by 2017, the Defense Ministry said Saturday, October 24, the Associated Press reports.

The decision was made because Indian female pilots' performances have been "on a par with males" in flying transport aircraft and heavy-lift helicopters, the ministry said in a statement.

Female pilots will begin training next year and enter a fighter cockpit by 2017, the statement said.

India's air force currently has women serving in seven areas — administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering and accounts.

Women fly fighter jets in several nations, including the United States, France and Israel.