India gets its first woman Naval Pilot, Shivangi Swaroop who will be joining Navy operations from December 2. Lieutenant Shivangi will make her cockpit entry just two days before the Navy Day.

She has been inducted as Sonics, Radars, Sonars, and Communication (SSC) Pilot into the Indian Navy. She is also a part of the 27 Naval Orientation Course in Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. In June 2018, she was formally commissioned by Vice Admiral AK Chawla. 

NDTV reported that a source said Press Trust Of India (PTI), “Shivangi will graduate to become the First female Pilot of Indian Navy. She hails from Muzaffarpur, Bihar and completed her schooling from DAV Public School, Muzaffarpur.” 

She is undergoing training at South Naval Command and will be flying Dornier 228. The Dornier 228 is built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and consists of high technology surveillance radar, electronic sensors and networking features to maintain dominance in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

The Dornier is deployed to carry out a short-range maritime reconnaissance mission. 

Previously, the Indian Navy has had women officers working as Air Traffic Control Officers and as Observers who are responsible for communication and weapons.

The year 2019 has been especially significant where women are seen taking prominent positions in Defense. Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot of the Indian Air Force in May this year.

Bhawana Kanth is also the first woman fighter pilot to undertake missions on a fighter aircraft, MiG-21 Bison aircraft. In another milestone progress, 100 women soldiers will be commissioned into the Indian Army by March 2021. 

This year shows that women’s representation in defence is increasing world and they are standing tall against all gender stereotypes by taking up positions previously believed to be reserved for men.

Also Read: Women Power: Wing Commander Anjali Singh Becomes India’s First Female Military Diplomat