Who Is Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth? IAF’s First Woman Fighter Pilot to Become a ‘Top Gun’

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth has made history in the Indian Air Force (IAF) as she is the first woman fighter pilot to be trained through the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Gwalior. This feat comes as yet another landmark in the increasing presence of women in India’s combat aviation. The 20-week advanced course is aimed at selected fighter pilots and involves learning complicated air-combat techniques. Through this remarkable feat, Bhawana Kanth becomes a member of the exclusive group of highly-trained combat tacticians of IAF.

Who Is Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth?

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth is an Indian Air Force fighter pilot from Darbhanga district of Bihar. Bhawana holds a degree in Engineering and has joined the IAF in June 2016 as one of the first women fighter pilots inducted in the fighter stream.

Together with Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, she became the emblematic icons of the historic opening of India’s fighter-pilot stream for women.

Over the years, Bhawana Kanth has reached many milestones in Indian military aviation becoming one of the most recognizable faces of women in the IAF’s fighter stream.

Bhawana Kanth Becoming the First Women Pilot to Complete FCL Course

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth’s latest success story is that of the successful completion of the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course at TACDE, Gwalior.

This course takes about 20 weeks and is believed to be one of the toughest courses of advance combat training in the IAF.

The purpose of this course is to give intensive training to the selected fighter pilots in aspects like,

• Advanced air-combat tactics
• Planning and conducting missions
• Combat leadership
• Tactical decision-making
• Complex air operations
• Coordinating in air-combat missions

Successful completion of this course gives the pilots the eligibility to carry greater responsibility in planning and conducting complex air operations.

This is a unique achievement for Bhawana Kanth as she becomes the first woman fighter pilot in the IAF to complete the Fighter Combat Leader course.

What Is the Fighter Combat Leader Course?

Fighter Combat Leader course is a combat training course conducted at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Gwalior.

The TACDE is a premier establishment of the Indian Air Force providing advance operational training of air combat. This establishment provides specialist exposure to tactical operations to the carefully selected fighter pilots.

This course goes beyond the usual training of a fighter pilot.

The Journey of Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth

Bhawana Kanth’s story is one that depicts the progressive growth of opportunities for women in India’s military aviation.

Kanth joined the IAF in June 2016 becoming one of the first three female fighter pilots. Her commissioning together with that of Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh was a historic moment in the history of Indian women fighter aviators.

In 2019, Kanth made yet another achievement by becoming the first Indian woman to be authorized to conduct daytime fighter combat operations.

It can therefore be seen that her career has coincided with the realization of some key milestones in the participation of women in the combat aviation of India.

Key Points

• Name: Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth
• Service: Indian Air Force
• Place of origin: Darbhanga, Bihar
• Educational Background: Engineering graduate
• Joined the IAF Service: June 2016
• Batch: First batch of the women fighter pilots
• Fighter Combat Milestone: First Indian woman who authorized for the daytime fighter combat operations in the year 2019
• Latest achievement: First woman fighter pilot to complete the Fighter Combat Leader course
• Training establishment: TACDE, Gwalior
• FCL course length: 20 weeks