India’s Pioneering Woman Fighter Pilot Sets Her Sights on Space Exploration

New Delhi: Shivangi Singh, 29, is no ordinary pilot. Two decades ago, she was a little girl gazing in awe at planes during a museum visit. Now, she proudly wears the title of India’s first woman Rafale fighter pilot. “This is where my adventure began,” she says, remembering how that moment sparked her dream to fly.

In 2015, women were allowed to become fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF), a significant shift in a field traditionally dominated by men. Singh reflects, “There have been many of us. This shows how modernized our society has become and that we can now realize our dreams.”

As a lieutenant, Singh has made history by flying French-made Rafale jets. Recently, India struck a multi-billion dollar deal with Dassault Aviation for 26 more jets, enhancing its military capabilities as tensions rise with Pakistan and China. The Rafales are part of India’s effort to upgrade from older Russian MiGs, crucial in a region fraught with political strife.

Singh hails from Varanasi, where her mother inspired her to dream big and become independent. “My mother wanted me educated and supported all my endeavors,” she shares. Today, over 1,600 women serve as officers in the IAF, including many pilots. Interestingly, India also boasts the highest percentage of women commercial pilots globally, at about 14%.

Singh described her experience of flying. The first time she entered the cockpit of a MiG-21, she felt a mix of anxiety and thrill. “I realized how much skill it takes to fly,” she said. Now, as one of the first pilots trained on Rafales, she finds the aircraft’s responsiveness and cockpit design impressive.

But Singh has even bigger ambitions. With India’s upcoming manned space mission on the horizon, she aims to reach new heights. “If I succeeded in a field previously reserved for men, then women can pursue any career they want,” she states confidently. She hopes to become an astronaut and has applied for test pilot training. “Let’s hope,” she adds, filled with determination.

As countries compete to strengthen their military capabilities and explore space, Singh stands as a beacon of change. Her journey reflects not just personal achievement, but a societal transformation as well.

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