Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh: India's First Woman Rafale Pilot Aims For Space

Meet Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, the country's first female Rafale pilot, who created ripples of pride as she soared through the skies. A trailblazer in her own right, she etched her name in history by piloting the Rafale, a multi-role air-dominance aircraft. As the first woman Rafale pilot, she not only shatters glass ceilings but propels the aspirations of countless young women reaching for the stars. 

"I succeeded in a field that was long reserved for men, and if I succeeded, then women can now work in any sector," she told Agence France-Presse in a recent interview. As India soon celebrates a new chapter in space exploration, with ISRO's upcoming maiden manned mission, Flight Lt. Singh has her eyes set on her new target: Space.

"I want to be an astronaut. So let's hope." she told AFP. Singh is India's only Rafale fighter pilot. The Indian Air Force had more than 1,600 woman officers, including many pilots, as of 2023. The country also has the highest population of female commercial pilots in the world, at 14% of the total strength.

Flying High in France: A Global Stage for Shivangi Singh

The world witnessed India's air prowess as Shivangi Singh, along with her fellow IAF members, participated in the multinational Exercise Orion in France. This marked a historic moment for the Indian Air Force as the Rafale squadron, led by Singh, showcased its capabilities on an international stage. Orion, the largest-ever multinational exercise by the French defence forces,  involved over 7,000 NATO troops and saw participation from various countries, including the US and the UK.

#WATCH | "I have flown in that area & the aircraft performed as expected and we have carried out all the missions that were entitled to us with utmost ease": Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, the first & only female Rafale fighter pilot on her experience of flying the fighter… pic.twitter.com/k9zBP9Pkzm

— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2023

Sharing her experience of flying over the Ladakh sector during the tense standoff with China, Flight Lieutenant Singh expressed confidence in the Rafale's performance. "The aircraft performed as expected, and we carried out all missions with utmost ease," she said, reflecting the mettle of India's operational preparedness.

The Rafale aircraft, India's latest addition to its air force, has played a pivotal role in bolstering the country's operational preparedness along both the Pakistan and China borders. With all 36 Rafales fully inducted, they stand as a formidable force, considered the most potent fighters in the entire Asian region.

Singh's role as the first woman  Rafale pilot symbolises India's commitment to empowering women in traditionally male-dominated fields.

A Trailblazer's Journey

Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, commissioned in 2017 as part of the IAF’s second batch of women fighter pilots, embarked on her journey at the Air Force Academy in 2016. Singh has swiftly risen through the ranks. Before mastering the intricacies of the Rafale, she exhibited her skills on the venerable MiG-21 Bison, a testament to her prowess in handling diverse aircraft.

Hailing from the spiritual city of Varanasi, Flight Lieutenant Singh brings a unique blend of resilience and grace to the cockpit. Her journey from the historic city on the banks of the Ganges to the forefront of modern aviation is a story of inspiration for aspiring young pilots, particularly women, across the nation.

As a proud member of the IAF's Golden Arrows squadron based in Punjab's Ambala, Flight Lieutenant Singh is not just an individual achiever but a representative of a squadron known for excellence and precision. Her association with the Golden Arrows adds another layer of prestige to her already illustrious career.

In 2020, Flight Lieutenant Singh achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the first woman to pilot the Rafale. Her selection was the result of a rigorous process, a testament to her unwavering dedication and unparalleled capabilities in mastering one of the world's most advanced fighter jets.

Republic Day Glory

In a proud moment for the nation, Shivangi Singh led the Indian Air Force tableau at the Republic Day parade in 2022. The tableau, themed 'Indian Air Force transforming for the future,' featured scaled-down models of the Rafale fighter jet, the indigenously developed light combat helicopter (LCH), and the 3D surveillance radar Aslesha MK-1. Singh's participation marked her as the second woman fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.

Country's first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh is a part of the Indian Air Force tableau as the @IAF_MCC band and marching contingent marches down the Rajpath#RepublicDay #RepublicDayIndia pic.twitter.com/n35YZ0xp4F

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2022