Bhawana Kanth Creates History, Becomes
India’s First Woman Pilot to Complete FCL Course
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Indian Air Force (IAF)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot in India to
successfully complete the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course on 6 August 2026.
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She completed the course
at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior.
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TACDE is an IAF training
establishment that prepares selected pilots in air combat tactics, operational
planning and leadership.
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The Fighter Combat Leader
(FCL) course is a 20-week advanced training programme for IAF fighter pilots.
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It is considered one of
the most selective professional courses in the Indian Air Force.
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Only around 1% of
selected pilots successfully complete the course.
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FCL graduates are trained
to lead complex frontline air combat missions.
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Bhawana Kanth was
commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2016 as part of India’s first
batch of women fighter pilots.
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The first batch also
included Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh.
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In May 2019, Bhawana
Kanth became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to qualify for daytime combat
missions.
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She initially flew the
MiG-21 Bison and later transitioned to the Su-30 MKI, both fighter aircraft
operated by the Indian Air Force.
¨
She received the Nari
Shakti Puraskar on 8 March 2020, India’s highest civilian award recognising
women’s achievements.
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On 26 January 2021, she
became the first female fighter pilot to participate in the Indian Air Force
Republic Day parade tableau in New Delhi.
