Sqd Ldr Mohana Singh becomes 1st Indian Woman Fighter Pilot to Fly 'Tejas'

By: WE Staff | Friday, 20 September 2024

Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot to fly India's indigenous Tejas fighter jet during the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise. This achievement is a significant step towards gender equality in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and women's empowerment, The Tejas is a homegrown, fourth-generation, multirole light fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Mohana's achievement highlights the growing role of women on defense services and the capabilities of indigenous technology in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Mohana Singh hails from Rajasthan and was inspired by her family's military background. She became one of the first women along with Avani Chaturvedi and Bhawana Kanth to be inducted into the Indian Air Force's fighter pilot program in 2016, breaking gender barriers. She underwent extensive training at the IAF base in Hakimpet, Telangana, and achieved full operational status in 2019 on the Hawk Mk.132 advanced jet trainer. She has logged over 380 hours of incident-free flying and participated in various Air Force-level flying exercises.

Mohana Singh becoming the first woman to fly the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has become a symbol of India's commitment to gender equality within the armed forces. She transitioned from piloting MiG-21s to joining the Light Combat Aircraft squadron at Naliya Airbase in Gujarat, which maintains India's defense preparedness. Mohana's achievements in combat roles demonstrate determination, skill, and dedication. Her role in the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise and piloting the Tejas set a new standard for female fighter pilots, reaffirming the sky's limit.