Squadron Leader Mohana Singh Becomes First Woman Fighter Pilot in Elite ‘Flying Bullets’ Squadron

With around 20 women fighter pilots now in service, following the government’s decision to open the fighter stream to women in 2016, the Indian Air Force is firmly advancing toward a more inclusive and diverse force.

In a historic achievement, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot to join the prestigious 18 ‘Flying Bullets’ squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates India’s indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This marks a significant milestone in India’s defense aviation, as well as a testament to the nation’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment in the armed forces.

Singh, one of the first three female fighter pilots inducted into the IAF, continues to break barriers. Her recent participation in the high-profile ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise in Jodhpur further highlighted her prowess. During this exercise, she flew alongside the Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in a joint effort to emphasize the importance of the ‘Make in India’ initiative within the defense sector.

Singh played a key role in instructing Vice Chiefs Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Army) and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan (Navy) as they prepared for their flights in the LCA Tejas trainer variants. Meanwhile, IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, piloted a solo flight in the fighter variant.

Prior to her current posting, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh was flying MiG-21 jets and has now transitioned to the LCA Tejas squadron stationed at Naliya Air Base, located near the Gujarat-Pakistan border.

Singh’s two pioneering compatriots, Squadron Leaders Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, are now flying Su-30 MKI fighter jets in the western desert region, further solidifying the role of women in combat roles within the IAF.

This groundbreaking flight took place in the presence of international defense forces, including those from the US, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Australia, as part of the multinational exercise at the Jodhpur airbase. With around 20 women fighter pilots now in service, following the government’s decision to open the fighter stream to women in 2016, the Indian Air Force is firmly advancing toward a more inclusive and diverse force.