On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women across all spheres of life, acknowledging their strength, resilience, and determination to break barriers. In the world of military aviation, two extraordinary women have made history with their unparalleled accomplishments, paving the way for future generations of female pilots. Flying Officer Tanushka Singh and Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh stand as shining examples of courage and ambition, breaking the gender barriers that have long existed in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Flying Officer Tanushka Singh: A Trailblazer in Combat Aviation
In a groundbreaking step towards gender mainstreaming in war roles, Flying Officer Tanushka Singh made history by emerging as the IAF’s first permanent woman pilot of its Jaguar fighter squadron. While women had previously flown Jaguar aircraft in the course of training, Tanushka’s full-time inclusion within this select group of a Jaguar squadron is a milestone for the Indian Air Force’s project towards mainstreaming women’s war roles.
The Jaguar, being an all-round tactical strike aircraft, is acclaimed for its mission of precision strike and is arguably one of the most critical holdings of the IAF. Induction of Tanushka as a member of the Jaguar squadron is a sign of her natural talent, toughness, and persistence. Just before joining duty, her new posting as an everlasting member in this elite force signifies the greater recognition of acceptance of women holding combat roles of operations in Indian defence forces.
Born in Uttar Pradesh and raised in Mangaluru, Tanushka is from a defence background. Her grandfather and father were both defence personnel, and she had thought of joining the Indian Army for her career. But after listening to the increasing opportunities for women in the Indian Air Force, Tanushka chose to have a career in aviation. She underwent rigorous training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana, and consequently qualified to fly the Hawk MK 132. Her journey to the Jaguar squadron is a result of her relentless pursuit of perfection and passion to break barriers.
Her achievement is not just personal but also a source of motivation for other females who desire to serve in the armed forces in combat roles. The Indian Air Force, which first opened up its fighter stream to women in 2016, now has around 20 women fighter pilots, and Tanushka’s appointment is a strong step in the ongoing transformation of gender integration in the armed forces.
Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh: From MiG-21 to Rafale, A Legendary Leap
Though Tanushka Singh’s accomplishment is a quantum leap for IAF women, yet another trailblazer lady pilot, Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, has also marked her place in the pages of history. Shivangi is the first lady pilot to be part of the Indian Air Force’s ‘Golden Arrows’ Squadron flying the Rafale fighter planes. Her transition from flying the MiG-21 Bison, one of the oldest fighter jets in the Indian fleet, to the Rafale, the newest and most advanced addition to the Indian defense arsenal, is nothing short of legendary.
Varanasi: Family of Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, celebrates at their residence, as she is set to be the first woman fighter pilot in Rafale squadron of Indian Air Force. She is currently undergoing conversion training and will soon be inducted into Golden Arrows squadron. pic.twitter.com/EjqyxcQHxC
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 24, 2020
Shivangi’s unexceptional journey from MiG-21 to Rafale speaks volumes for her incredible competence and flexibility. The MiG-21 Bison is renowned for challenging flight parameters and the highest takeoff as well as landing speed in the world. Now shifting to the Rafale, the advanced multi-role combat fighter aircraft, speaks volumes for itself and her exemplary adaptability as a pilot. After she finishes her conversion course, Shivangi will be an official member of the 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows” at Ambala, among some of the finest pilots in the Air Force, including Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a war hero of the 2019 Balakot aerial strikes.
Shivangi was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and had always wanted to fly since childhood. She was a cadet in the NCC while attending Banaras Hindu University and then trained as an aviator at the Air Force Academy. She was one of the second batch of female fighter pilots commissioned in 2017, together with Avani Chaturvedi and Bhawana Kanth. Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi broke records in 2018 as the first woman pilot to fly a fighter aircraft single-handedly, and Shivangi and her colleagues, following in the footsteps of Avani, continued to forge new paths for women in the Indian Air Force.
As a part of the Golden Arrows Squadron, Shivangi’s appointment to fly the Rafale fighter jets highlights the growing role of women in India’s defense sector. It also demonstrates the Indian Air Force’s commitment to providing equal opportunities to women and ensuring that they have the same access to the most advanced combat technologies as their male counterparts.
Breaking Barriers: A New Era of Women in Combat
The success of Tanushka Singh and Shivangi Singh is not a solitary benchmark but a component of a larger trend in the Indian Armed Forces, where gender integration is gathering pace. Since the Indian Air Force first enrolled women in its fighter stream in 2016, women fighter pilots have steadily broken stereotypes and defied expectation.
Tanushka and Shivangi, just like many others today, do not only operate some of the world’s finest fighter jets, but they are also motivating several young women in the country to become aviators and defense players. These role models are a testament to the world that there can be no bound for women, provided they have enough courage to live their dreams as well as enabling support to accomplish their dreams.
With International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the works of these trailblazing ladies in the Indian Air Force. Tanushka and Shivangi’s tales stand as a compelling testament that not the sky is the limit but merely the stepping stone for female soldiers. What they have accomplished is opening avenues for generations to come of young women pilots flying higher, doing away with frontiers and breaking barriers in fields of defense and aviation.
