First, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operationalised a woman pilot for the Jaguar fighter jet squadron, as flying officer Tanushka Singh joined the squadron on Friday. In a historic decision, the Supreme Court of India issued a verdict allowing women to be inducted into the Armed Forces on an equal footing as their male counterparts. This path-breaking decision is a major milestone in the journey towards gender parity with defense personnel in India. The Jaguar has traditionally been one of the IAF’s most important tactical assets, being a twin-engine deep penetration strike aircraft. Tanushka joining the 86 Squadron is a testament to her talent, abilities and her efforts, and is also a reminder of the IAF’s focus on inducting women officers into its combat roles. This is a remarkable journey, one of resilience, breaking societal and cultural norms and inspiring generations of young women across this country to embark on careers in the armed forces.
The military background in his family played a crucial role in Tanushka’s upbringing. Her father and grandfather both served in the Indian Army, so military service was a given. But her desire to fly and the growing opportunities for women to enter the Air Force opened her eyes to the possibility of a difficult road to becoming a fighter pilot. The epic achievement from a bright student at the Manipal Institute of Technology only goes to show her unshakeable determination. Her ascent to this high-level position ensures doors will open for generations of women throughout the defence arena long into the future.
Early Life and Educational Background
Born in UP, Tanushka comes from a family of notable military lineage. Her father is Lieutenant Colonel Ajay Pratap Singh (Retd.), and her grandfather both entered the armed forces, impressing upon her a strong sense of duty and patriotism from a young age. In 2007, her family moved to Mangaluru, Karnataka, a city she calls home. Recalling her bonds with the city, she proudly calls herself a “Kudla girl,” which is a term for people from Mangaluru.
Tanushka’s academic journey has been nothing short of commendable. Her early education had been at the DPS MRPL School in Suratkal, where she graduated with her Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) before completing her pre-university education at Sharada PU College in Mangaluru. Driven by her interest in science and technology, she pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology, graduating in 2022.
Inspiration and Joining the Indian Air Force
Tanushka hailed from a family with deep roots in military service, and was always predisposed towards joining the armed forces. She wanted to be in the Indian Army to follow her family legacy. But when she started exploring the opportunities, she learned about the widening roles for women in the Indian Air Force. That was the key reason she thought she should become a fighter pilot.
Rigorous Training and Induction into the IAF
It takes years and years of passion to reach Tanushka to the cockpit of the Jaguar. Officially, she started her training at the Air Force Academy located in Dundigal, Telangana, a rigorous 18-month course given to cadets to prepare them for careers in military aviation. After being commissioned, she completed her specialised training course for a year, where she trained herself on flying the Hawk MK 132 aircraft.
Breaking Barriers: Assignment to the Jaguar Squadron
The SEPECAT Jaguar is widely regarded for its precision strike capabilities and has been a pillar of the IAF’s tactical operations since its induction in 1979. No female pilot had been “permanently” posted to a Jaguar squadron until Tanushka’s induction. Although a few female pilots had flown the Jaguar as part of training sorties earlier, her permanent assignment is a watershed towards gender parity in combat roles of the IAF.
Family’s Pride and Support
Tanushka’s exceptional accomplishment has made her family very proud. Her grandfather was Captain D.B. Singh (Retd.), and he celebrated, noting his family had a connection to armed forces spanning three generations. He spoke of Tanushka telling them, on a video call, the good news about her assignment to the flight, and the flood of congratulations it brought from relatives and well-wishers. Tanushka’s grandmother’s support was also acknowledged as he expressed gratitude to her for her instrumental influence over pivotal decision-making in the family’s journey that led to Tanushka being able to reach this point.
Impact on Gender Inclusivity in the Armed Forces
Tanushka’s joining a squadron of Jaguars illustrates how far the Indian Armed Forces have come to gender inclusion. Since the Indian Air Force had first opened combat roles for women in 2016, it had made concerted efforts to allow them in various operational roles. Visionaries such as Flight Lieutenant Avani Chaturvedi, the first Indian woman to fly a MiG-21 Bison, have opened up this path for the rest. Tanushka’s accomplishment strengthens the position of women in combat aviation and acts as an encouragement for the future generation of female aviators.
The Road Ahead
After completing her tenure of leave, Tanushka will move to her assigned Jaguar squadron, where she will receive further training on the specific aircraft and also get integrated into operational missions. She will take part in complex missions that require her to be precise, tough, and dedicated. Tanushka is truly an inspiration for the nation, her victory will not only inspire women but also men who wish to think out of the box and serve the nation.
Conclusion
Tanushka Singh’s triumph is not just a personal milestone; it is also a landmark moment for gender equality in India’s armed forces. She has become the first woman to join the Jaguar squadron in a move that breaks a decades-old stereotype and opens doors for women to be lawyers in frontline combat duties. Realising this truth while one has reached their career pinnacle is a personal triumph that goes beyond the statistics. Her odyssey will certainly inspire a new generation of young women to dream big, break the barriers to success and contribute to the nation’s defence.
The road ahead will not be easy as she takes the responsibility of flying one of the IAF’s most potent aircraft. But Tanushka has already shown the resilience, skills and determination to thrive in this challenging position. Her success story resonates with the fact that women can very well work in combat roles and her presence in the Jaguar squadron is a huge step towards a more inclusive and diversified Indian Air Force. And with each sortie she does, she contributes to national security as well as being a role model for countless others to follow in her footsteps.
