RudraM-II passes crucial test as India sharpens indigenous strike capability
The successful RudraM-II trials validated multiple critical systems and highlighted collaboration between DRDO laboratories, the Indian Air Force and industry partners.
Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi scripted history by becoming the first woman in the history of the Indian Air Force to fly a fighter aircraft solo.
The IAF said that Fg Offr Chaturvedi flew a MiG-21 Bison on 19 February from Air Force Station Jamnagar in Gujarat.
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Fg Offr Chaturvedi was among the first three women to have qualified as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force.
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On 18 June 2016, Manohar Parrikar, who was then the defence minister, had commissioned Chaturvedi, Mohana Singh of Rajasthan and Bhawana Kanth of Bihar – all three flight cadets at the time – into the IAF at Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad following their graduation.
Their commissioning was historic as it made the IAF the first of the three services to allow women in combat.
Fg Offr Avani, who hails from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, did her schooling from Adarsh School in the city and BTech in Computer Science from Banasthali University, Jaipur.
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