First batch of women fighter pilots inducted into IAF

The Indian Air Force on Saturday inducted its first batch of women pilots, comprising three cadets into its fighter squadron.

Bhawna Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, will undergo another six months of training in the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer before they start flying the fighter jets in regular missions like their male counterparts.

They graduated from the IAF academy in Dundigal in December and proceeded to specialised fighter



training in the IAF establishment in Hakimpet in Andhra Pradesh.

Six female cadets were competing to become fighter pilots after the government, in a landmark move, approved an IAF plan in October to induct them as fighter pilots. However, only three female trainees were selected for the fighter stream.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was present to witness the passing-out parade at the Indian Air Force Academy in Hakimpet, Hyderabad.