Flight Lieutenant Mohana Singh has made history as the first woman fighter pilot to join the elite LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas fighter fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This milestone not only marks a personal achievement for Singh but also represents a significant step forward for gender equality in the armed forces.

Mohana Singh is one of the first three women fighter pilots inducted into the IAF in 2016 when the Air Force opened its doors to women in combat roles. She has been steadily breaking barriers ever since. Her inclusion in the LCA Tejas fleet is a proud moment for the country, as she becomes the first female pilot to fly this indigenous multi-role combat aircraft.

Mohana Singh, who flew MiG-21s until recently, was assigned to the LCA squadron, which is located at the Naliya air base in the Gujarat region near the Pakistani border.  Mohana Singh is from the Rajasthani area of Jhunjhunu. Her father is an IAF warrant officer, and her grandpa was a flight gunner at the Aviation Research Center.

As the first woman to fly the LCA Tejas, Mohana Singh sets a powerful precedent for future generations of women in the military. Senior IAF officials have lauded her accomplishment, with Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari congratulating her, stating, "Flight Lieutenant Singh’s achievement is a testament to the capabilities of our women officers and the evolving nature of the Indian Air Force."

Singh’s inclusion in the Tejas fleet is part of the broader effort to integrate more women into combat roles across the Indian armed forces. This move is expected to inspire more young women to pursue careers in defense and aviation, breaking down gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.