Two decades after a wide-eyed visit to an Air Force museum first ignited her dream, Lieutenant Shivangi Singh is now a symbol of India's modernising military and its only woman Rafale fighter pilot.

Standing inside the Indian Air Force Museum in Delhi, Singh recalled how, as a young girl, she was instantly captivated. “This is where my adventure began. I gawked... and immediately knew that I wanted to become a pilot.” she told AFP.

Breaking Barriers in the Sky

Women were first inducted as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2015, marking a pivotal shift in military policy. Singh, who hails from Varanasi, had to excel in both academics and sports to secure her place in a profession once dominated by men.

“This not only reflects modernisation but also the fact that we can now realise our dreams,” she told the news agency, crediting her mother for encouraging her to be both educated and independent. Now 29, Singh is not only a trained fighter pilot but also married to one.

She became the first Indian woman to fly the French-built Rafale, a state-of-the-art combat aircraft that forms a key part of India’s defence overhaul. With India’s recent agreement to purchase an additional 26 Rafale jets, Singh’s role has become even more significant.

Singh's Journey With Rafale Began In 2020

After a challenging selection process and simulator training under French instructors, Singh began flying the Rafale in 2020. Describing her experience in the cockpit, she told AFP, “Its responsiveness is impressive... the cockpit is incredibly comfortable, you feel like it was designed for you.”

But her aspirations extend far beyond fighter jets. With India preparing for a manned space mission, Singh has applied to become a test pilot, a stepping stone to the astronaut programme.

“I want to be an astronaut. If I succeeded in a field long reserved for men, women can now work in any sector," she said.