From museum dreams to combat missions: Shivangi Singh takes flight as India's only woman Rafale pilot

On April 22, 2025, a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 25 Indian civilians and one Nepali national, marking it as the deadliest assault in the region in 25 years.

The attack, attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, prompted India to launchOperation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with Rafale jets armed with SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs.As tensions escalated, India resorted to defensive strikes to counter Pakistan’s retaliatory actions, including drone incursions and shelling along the Line of Control. Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s only woman Rafale pilot, is set to play a pivotal role in these operations, flying the advanced French-made Rafale jets. Her involvement underscores India’s modernising air force and the growing role of women in combat roles.

Journey to becoming a fighter pilotShivangi Singh, hailing from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was inspired to pursue aviation after a childhood visit to the Air Force Museum in New Delhi. She completed her schooling in Varanasi and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Demonstrating academic excellence and a passion for aviation, she joined the Indian Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad for rigorous training, a critical step toward becoming a fighter pilot.

Rigorous training and qualificationsTo qualify as a Rafale pilot, Singh underwent a stringent selection process. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2017 as part of the second batch of women fighter pilots, she initially trained on the MiG-21 Bison, mastering the skills required to handle high-performance aircraft. In 2020, after excelling in a competitive evaluation, she was selected for Rafale training, which included advanced simulator sessions with French instructors.

Her training focused on the Rafale’s sophisticated systems, including its Thales RBE2 AESA radar and precision weaponry, equipping her for complex missions like those in Operation Sindoor.Breaking barriers in the IAFSingh’s educational foundation and relentless determination enabled her to break gender barriers in a field long dominated by men. As part of the IAF’s Golden Arrows squadron in Ambala, she has represented India in international exercises like Orion in France. With over 1,600 women officers in the IAF as of 2023, Singh’s achievements highlight the modernisation of India’s armed forces and inspire future generations.