Watch | Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot in India to clear the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course on 6 August 2026.
She completed the course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior, marking a significant milestone for women in Indian military aviation.
The achievement places Bhawana Kanth among fighter pilots who have successfully completed the demanding Fighter Combat Leader qualification in the Indian Air Force.
Bhawana Kanth’s Indian Air Force Career
Bhawana Kanth was among the first three women fighter pilots commissioned into the Indian Air Force, alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, in June 2016.
The trio received the President’s Commission at the Combined Graduation Parade held at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, on 18 June 2016.
In May 2019, Kanth became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to qualify for daytime combat missions on the MiG-21 Bison aircraft.
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