Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has scripted history to become the first female fighter pilot in India to fly the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Around eight years ago, she broke new ground by becoming the first woman fighter pilot to join a fighter squadron. Alongside her colleagues Avni Chaturvedi and Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh was part of a pioneering trio of female pilots in the Air Force's fighter streams. The three women initially flew various aircraft from the Air Force's fleet and are now operating the Su-30MKi and LCA Tejas as part of their regular duties.

First Female fighter Pilot
Image Source: SSBCrack

The officer recently entered the significant 'Tarang Shakti' exercise in Jodhpur, where she flew alongside the three Vice Chiefs of the Armed Forces, marking a significant moment in her career, according to the reports of ANI.

Paving the Way: The Legacy of India's First Female Fighter Pilot

The Tarang Shakti exercise is a multi-phase military drill that showcases international cooperation. The first stage, held from August 6 to 14 at Sulur Airbase in Tamil Nadu, featured participants from France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.

The second stage of the exercise will be running from August 30 to September 13 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, witnessing a diverse lineup of countries including Australia, Greece, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), being the fourth-largest air force globally, now displays around 20 female fighter pilots. This milestone came after the IAF began accepting women into its fighter stream in 2016, a groundbreaking move in India's military history. Since then, the service has made significant strides in ensuring that women have equal opportunities and can serve on par with their male colleagues.

On December 2 of last year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a significant move by inducting its first female agnives into the non-officer cadre. A total of 153 women Agniveers graduated from the Airmen Training School in Belagavi, Karnataka, marking a significant milestone in the Air Force’s history. The Passing Out Parade of these female engineers was celebrated after the successful completion of their four-month training under the Agnipath scheme.

This enrollment was part of a larger group of 2,280 recruits, and it also highlighted the IAF’s commitment to incorporating women into various roles. The prestigious Garud commando force has granted the women officers the opportunity to join, provided they meet the selection criteria.

Agniveers are part of the Agnipath scheme, which offers a short-term recruitment option for the military. This latest batch of Agniveervayu joined the Air Force in June 2023, underscoring the expanding roles and opportunities for women in India’s armed forces.

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