First Batch Of Indian Navy's Three Women Pilots Ready For Maritime Reconnaissance

In a historic event, the Indian Navy operationalised its first batch of women pilots on Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi on Thursday. The press statement from the Indian Navy read, "The three women pilots were part of the six pilots of the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training (DOFT) Course, who graduated as "Fully operational Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Pilots' at a passing out ceremony held at INS Garuda, Kochi on October 22."

#WATCH: Indian Navy's first batch of women pilots operationalized on Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi, Kerala.

The three women pilots were part of the six pilots of the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training (DOFT) Course. pic.twitter.com/RolCSSieHC

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020

Also Read: Shivangi Singh To Be First Woman Pilot To Join Rafale Fleet for IAF

What You Should Know

• The Indian Navy operationalised its first batch of women pilots on Dornier Aircraft.
• The three women pilots were part of the six pilots of the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training(DOFT) Course.
• The three women pilots of the first batch are Lieutenant Divya Sharma, Lieutenant Shubhangi Swaroop,  and Lieutenant Shivangi.

Kerala: The first batch of Indian Navy’s women pilots operationalised for maritime missions on Dornier aircraft from Southern Naval Command in Kochi pic.twitter.com/JCxskUulKt

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020

The event was carried out in the presence of Rear Admiral Antony George who presided the event as the chief guest. He presented awards to the pilots who are now completely qualified on Dornier aircraft for all operational missions.

Women Pilots

The three women pilots of the first batch are Lieutenant Divya Sharma, Lieutenant Shubhangi Swaroop,  and Lieutenant Shivangi. Sharma is a resident of Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, Swaroop is a native of Tilhar, Uttar Pradesh, and Lt. Shivangi belongs to Muzaffarpur, Bihar. All three initially underwent basic flying trying with Indian Air Force and partly with the Navy before the DOFT course. Out of the tree, Lt. Shivangi was the first one to qualify as a naval pilot on December 2, 2019.

Also Read: Antra Mehta Becomes First Woman Fighter Pilot From Maharashtra, Tenth In India

They are graduated as ‘Fully operational Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Pilots’ at a passing out ceremony held at INS Garuda, Kochi Today.
More power to you Officers. @indiannavy @DefenceMinIndia @indiatvnews pic.twitter.com/8LSF8iNmua

— Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) October 22, 2020

Also Read: India Records Maximum Number of Women Pilots in the World

The course incorporated a month of the ground training phase, which was carried out at several professional schools of SNC and eight months of flying training at the Dornier Squadron of SSNC, INAS 550. Lt Shivam and Lt Divya Sharma were adjudged 'First in Ground' and 'First in Flying' subjects respectively.

Tweeples appreciated the three women and showered praises over their accomplishments.

Picture Credit: ANI