New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth has created history by becoming the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) to successfully complete the prestigious Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior.
The achievement marks another significant milestone in the growing participation of women in India’s combat aviation and places Kanth among the select group of highly trained combat tacticians capable of leading complex air operations.
The 20-week Fighter Combat Leader course is among the IAF’s most demanding advanced combat training programmes. It is designed for a select group of fighter pilots who demonstrate exceptional flying skills, tactical understanding and leadership potential. Successful completion prepares officers to plan and lead sophisticated air combat missions and perform critical roles as frontline tacticians during operational situations.
Located in Gwalior, TACDE is the IAF’s premier institution for advanced fighter tactics and combat training. The establishment is often compared with the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor programme, popularly known as “Top Gun”. Its curriculum covers advanced air combat tactics, mission planning, air-to-air and air-to-ground operations and leadership in high-intensity combat environments.
TACDE draws its instructors from some of the IAF’s most experienced fighter pilots and controllers, making qualification from the institution a highly valued professional distinction within the service.
Kanth, who hails from Darbhanga in Bihar, is an engineering graduate and was commissioned into the IAF in June 2016 as part of the country’s first batch of women fighter pilots. She entered the fighter stream alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, marking a historic expansion of opportunities for women in India’s combat aviation.
Since her commissioning, Kanth has achieved several notable milestones. In 2019, she became the first Indian woman fighter pilot cleared to undertake daytime combat missions. She initially operated the MiG-21 Bison before transitioning to the Su-30MKI, one of the IAF’s principal multirole fighter aircraft.
Her career has also included significant ceremonial milestones. In 2021, she became the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the Republic Day Parade. Three years later, in 2024, she flew in the Republic Day flypast, further establishing her place in the history of Indian military aviation.
Her latest accomplishment at TACDE reflects the increasing opportunities available to women in the IAF’s operational and leadership roles. Completing the demanding FCL course demonstrates that women officers are increasingly entering specialised combat positions traditionally dominated by men.
Kanth’s achievement is therefore not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the IAF’s evolving combat culture. Her journey highlights the service’s emphasis on professional competence, tactical excellence and leadership, while reinforcing the principle that merit remains central to advancement in India’s military aviation.
