Shivangi Singh: India’s Trailblazing Female Fighter Pilot Takes to the Skies in Rafale Jet
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, misinformation has become rampant on social media, leading to increased public anxiety. A particularly alarming claim spread on Saturday, falsely suggesting that Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, an Indian Air Force pilot, had been captured by Pakistani forces. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit quickly intervened, stating, “Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. PIBFactCheck. This claim is FAKE.” The rumor falsely alleged that Singh was detained near Sialkot after her fighter jet was shot down, with some users sharing unrelated videos to bolster the hoax.
So, who is Shivangi Singh? Hailing from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, she made history as India’s first female pilot to fly the Rafale fighter jet, a cutting-edge aircraft manufactured in France. Her passion for aviation ignited during a childhood visit to the Air Force Museum in New Delhi, where she first lay eyes on fighter jets. This experience cultivated a resolute ambition to pursue a career as a pilot.
Singh actively pursued her dreams during her college years at Banaras Hindu University, joining the NCC Air Wing to bolster her passion for flight. With unwavering commitment and academic excellence, she gained admission to the Indian Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. In 2017, Singh joined the Indian Air Force as part of the second cohort of women inducted into fighter pilot roles, a significant milestone considering the IAF had only begun accepting women into combat positions after a two-decade delay.
As of 2023, there are over 1,600 women officers in the Indian Air Force, many serving as fighter pilots. Reflecting on her first time in the cockpit, Singh admitted to feeling an overwhelming sense of nervousness. However, it was during her inaugural flight in a MiG-21 that she fully appreciated the skill and precision required to pilot such an advanced aircraft.
In 2020, after a rigorous selection process, Singh was chosen for advanced Rafale training, a prestigious program that involved simulator drills and instruction from French trainers. She holds the distinction of being the first female fighter pilot assigned to the Rafale, a jet that began service with the Indian defence forces in 2020 and is regarded as the most formidable fighter jet of its class in the Asian region.
In a notable achievement, she represented the Indian Air Force during the French exercise Orion, joining forces with some of the world’s most distinguished air forces, including those of the US, UK, and various NATO allies. Shivangi Singh’s groundbreaking career continues to inspire many, showcasing the evolving role of women in the Indian armed forces.
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Original Source: https://www.india.com/viral/meet-shivangi-singh-indias-first-female-fighter-pilot-to-fly-rafale-jet-she-was-falsely-claimed-to-have-been-captured-in-pakistan-amid-india-pakistan-tensions-7813024/
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Publish Date: 2025-05-11 08:01:00
