The first female pilot to be appointed permanently to the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet squadron is Flying Officer Tanushka Singh of Lucknow.

This is a big step towards the IAF's goal of having more women in combat roles. Tanushka's permanent entry into the squadron is a first, even though other women have flown the Jaguar during training. The Jaguar, which is renowned for its ability to launch precise attacks, is an important tactical strike aircraft for the IAF.

Tanushka Singh Of Lucknow:

Tanushka, who was born in Lucknow, has been residing in Mangaluru since 2007 and has finished her higher education and schooling there. After earning a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2022, she enlisted in the IAF. Tanushka comes from a military family; both her father and grandfather were active military personnel.

At first, Tanushka thought about joining the Indian Army. But after learning about the potential for women in the Air Force, she changed her focus. She received specialised training on the Hawk MK 132 aircraft after completing her training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana.

Tanushka Singh is the oldest daughter of retired Lieutenant Colonel Ajay Pratap Singh and the granddaughter of retired Captain Devendra Bahadur Singh, both of whom achieved notable military records.