In A First, Woman Pilot To Join Indian Air Forces Rafale Squadron

Supported by

Breaking yet another glass ceiling, a woman fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon join the newly-inducted Rafale fighter fleet as one of its crew flying the French multi-role aircraft, NDTV reported.

The woman pilot has been flying MiG-21 fighters and was selected to join the Ambala-based Golden Arrows squadron operating the Rafale jets. She was chosen to fly Rafale jets following a strict selection process and is undergoing training now.

In the past, Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi created history in 2018 by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight. The woman pilot has been flying MiG-21 fighters and was selected to join the Ambala-based Golden Arrows squadron operating the Rafale jets.

Chaturvedi was part of a three-member women team commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government opened the fighter stream for women. The other two women pilots were Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh.

At present, the IAF constitutes 10 women fighter pilots and 18 women navigators. The total strength of women officers serving in the IAF is 1,875.

Last week, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik told Parliament that ‘women fighter pilots are inducted and deployed in IAF as per strategic needs and operational requirements.’

Five French-made multirole Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the Golden Arrows squadron of the IAF on September 10 at the Ambala air force base.

Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India and five of them stayed back in France for giving training to IAF pilots. The delivery of all the 36 aircrafts is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

The second batch of four to five Rafale jets is expected to arrive in India by November.

Known as the 4.5 generation aircraft, the Rafale is considered to be one of the finest fighters and is described as an ‘omnirole’ aircraft that can take up several missions on a single flight.

Also Read: In A First, Two Women Combat Aviators To Be Deployed On Warships

#PoweredByYou We bring you news and stories that are worth your attention! Stories that are relevant, reliable, contextual and unbiased. If you read us, watch us, and like what we do, then show us some love! Good journalism is expensive to produce and we have come this far only with your support. Keep encouraging independent media organisations and independent journalists. We always want to remain answerable to you and not to anyone else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Amplified by

P&G Shiksha

P&G Shiksha Turns 20 And These Stories Say It All

Amplified by

Isha Foundation

Sadhguru’s Meditation App ‘Miracle of Mind’ Hits 1 Million Downloads in 15 Hours, Surpassing ChatGPT’s Early Growth

Recent Stories

BBMP Launches ₹2.9 Crore ‘Kukkir Tihar’ to Feed 5,000 Stray Dogs Chicken-Rice Meals Weekly; Aims to Curb Aggression and Support Sterilisation

India’s Forests Losing Carbon Absorption Power, Warn Scientists; Climate Change Blamed for 12% Decline in Efficiency

Bengaluru Woman and Accomplice Arrested in ₹30 Crore Scam Targeting Women Through Kitty Parties and Fake Investments

Contributors

Writer : 
Editor : 
Creatives :