The Indian Air Force is all set to assign one of its female fighter pilots to a MiG-29 squadron for the first time. Female fighter pilots are already operating the MiG-21 Bison, Sukhoi-30, and Rafale.
Last year, the IAF assigned Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh to its first Rafale squadron based in Ambala. So far, ten women have been commissioned as fighter pilots after the experimental scheme for their induction into the IAF’s combat stream was introduced in 2015, a milestone achieved in the IAF’s history.
Currently, 9118 women are serving in the Indian Armed Forces and more roles are being opened to women in the military. The army will soon open the doors of its aviation wing to women officers. Until now, women officers were only carrying ground duties in army aviation. The first batch of women officers will begin training to become pilots in July 2021.
