Mohana Singh Achieves Historic First as Woman Pilot in LCA Tejas Squadron
- Posted on September 18, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
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Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force's LCA Tejas fleet. Her historic achievement during the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise underscores India's commitment to gender integration and the "Make in India" initiative, as Singh leads the way in operating the indigenous fighter jet.
In a remarkable breakthrough for gender equality in India's defense forces, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman to pilot the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) LCA Tejas fighter jet as part of the prestigious 18 'Flying Bullets' squadron. This achievement came to light during her participation in the 'Tarang Shakti' military exercise held in Jodhpur.
Singh’s role in the exercise was particularly noteworthy as she worked alongside high-ranking officers from all three branches of the armed forces. While Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Vice Chief of the IAF, flew the LCA Tejas solo, the Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army and Navy – Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan – piloted the two-seater trainer versions of the fighter jet under Singh’s instruction. This exercise, seen as a major boost to the "Make in India" initiative, showcased the prowess of the indigenously developed LCA Tejas, and Singh’s expertise in the aircraft underscored her trailblazing role.
Mohana Singh has been a pioneer in Indian aviation ever since 2016, when she, alongside Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, became one of the first women inducted as fighter pilots in the IAF. Singh’s recent posting to the LCA squadron in Naliya, Gujarat, near the Pakistan border, adds to her impressive resume after previously flying the MiG-21 Bison.
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Coming from a family with a strong IAF background—her grandfather and father both served in the Air Force—Singh’s ascent marks a significant moment in India’s defense history, breaking new ground for women in combat roles.
