Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history as the first female fighter pilot to join the LCA Tejas fighter fleet

Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history as the first female fighter pilot to join the prestigious ‘Flying Bullets’ squadron, which operates India’s indigenous LCA Tejas fighter jets.

As one of the country’s pioneering female fighter pilots, Squadron Leader Singh has once again broken new ground. Her achievement highlights the Indian Air Force’s dedication to gender equality and empowerment.

The officer participated in the recent ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise in Jodhpur, where she took part in a historic flight alongside three Vice Chiefs of the armed forces.

Squadron Leader Mohana Singh was among the first three women to become fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force.

Her fellow trailblazing female pilots, Squadron Leader Bhawna Kanth and Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi are currently flying Su-30 MKI fighter jets in the western desert.

Previously, Singh flew MiG-21s and has recently been assigned to the LCA Tejas squadron based at Naliya airbase in the Gujarat sector, along the Pakistan border.

During the historic flight, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh was seen guiding the Army and Navy Vice Chiefs in the LCA Tejas fighter jet, helping them prepare for the mission.

Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh piloted the LCA Tejas fighter variant solo, while Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan flew trainer variants, accompanied by two fighter pilots.

This exercise was recognized as a strong endorsement of the Make in India initiative by the defense forces. It occurred alongside a multinational exercise at Jodhpur airbase, where leading air forces from countries such as the US, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Australia displayed their advanced fighter jets.

Since the Indian government opened the fighter stream to women in 2016, the Indian Air Force now includes approximately 20 female fighter pilots.