Squadron Leader Mohana Singh Becomes India's First Female Tejas Pilot

Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history as the first woman fighter pilot to join the elite 18 'Flying Bullets' squadron, which operates India's indigenously made LCA Tejas fighter jets.

As one of India's first female fighter pilots, Singh continues to break barriers, underscoring the Indian Air Force's (IAF) commitment to gender equality.

Singh recently participated in the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise in Jodhpur, where she took part in a historic flight with the Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. During the flight, Singh instructed the Army and Navy Vice Chiefs on operating the LCA Tejas fighter jet.

Previously, she flew MiG-21s before being posted to the LCA squadron at Naliya air base, located near the Pakistan border. Singh's female counterparts, Squadron Leaders Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, now fly Su-30 MKI fighter jets in the western desert.

Indian Air Force Vice Chief, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, flew solo in the LCA Tejas, while Army Vice Chief Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani and Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan flew trainer variants with fighter pilots. This joint exercise was seen as a significant boost to the 'Make in India' initiative.

The exercise took place while several global air forces, including those from the US, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Australia, showcased their fighter jets at the multinational event in Jodhpur. The IAF currently has around 20 women fighter pilots, following the government's decision to allow women into the fighter stream in 2016.

It has to be noted that the IAF has around 20 women fighter pilots after the government opened the fighter stream for women in 2016.