Republic Day 2021: IAF Makes History As Two Women Fighter Pilots & Rafale Jets Feature In Republic Day Flypast

Two IAF women officers broke the glass ceiling on January 26 by becoming the first women pilots to participate in the Republic Day parade, one at Rajpath & the other over Rajpath. Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, 28, became the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the R-Day parade. She was part of an IAF tableau that showcased mock-ups of a light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and a Sukhoi-30 fighter plane. Flight Lieutenant Swati Rathore got the honour to be the first woman to be part of the flypast over Rajpath as she flew a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in a formation of four choppers. Republic Day culminated with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr. The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant. Rafale fighter jets, which were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year, featured in the Republic Day parade and culminated the flypast by carrying out the ''Vertical Charlie'' formation”. Watch the video to know more.