HIGHLIGHTS
• Bhawana Kanth has become first female pilot to finish operational syllabus for carrying out combat missions
• She is from the first batch of women fighter pilots of the IAF, who joined the force in July 2016
• Bhawana joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and flew the first solo on MiG-21 Bison in March last year
Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth has become the first woman pilot of the Indian Air Force to qualify to undertake combat missions on a fighter jet.
Kanth on Wednesday completed operational syllabus for carrying out combat missions on Mig-21 Bison aircraft during day time.
"Flt Lt Bhawana Kanth adds another feather to her cap by completing Day Operational syllabus on MiG-21 Bison aircraft. She is the first woman fighter pilot to be qualified to undertake missions by day on a fighter aircraft," the Indian Air Force's official handle tweeted with #WomenPower.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 Bison when he shot down Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fighter jet during an aerial combat on February 27.
At present, Bhawana is posted at the Nal base in Bikaner
According to news agency PTI, Bhawana Kanth will be allowed to carry out night operations once she completes training for night missions.
Bhawana joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and flew the first solo on MiG-21 Bison in March last year.
"With her dedication, hard work and perseverance she has become the first woman officer of the IAF to achieve this feat," IAF Spokesperson Group Capt Anupam Banerjee told PTI.
She is from the first batch of woman fighter pilots of the IAF.
Three women -- Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh -- were commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis.
The IAF has already selected the next batch of three women trainee pilots for the fighter stream.