In a historic moment for the Indian Navy, Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev has shattered a significant glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to qualify as a helicopter pilot in the service’s history. This remarkable achievement was marked by the awarding of the prestigious “Golden Wings” at a ceremony held at the naval air station INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu.
Sub-Lieutenant Anamika Rajeev and Lt Tsewang are among 21 officers awarded the “Golden Wings” by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, at the passing-out parade at INS Rajali, the Navy said on Saturday.
The parade on Friday marked the successful culmination of an intensive 22 weeks of training programme encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of the Indian Navy, it said.
“Highlighting Indian Navy’s commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women, Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev created history by graduating as the first woman naval helicopter pilot,” the Navy said in a statement. “Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first Commissioned Naval Officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh, also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot,” it said.
There are 19 women flying fighters like MiG-21s and Sukhoi-30MKIs in the IAF, while there are over 145 women chopper and transport aircraft pilots in IAF, Army and the Navy.
Sub-Lieutenant Rajeev is now authorized to pilot several types of helicopters, including the Sea Kings, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruvs, Chetaks, and the MH-60R Seahawks. These aircraft are crucial for a variety of naval missions, ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to search and rescue and anti-piracy operations.
The Indian Navy has been making significant strides toward gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women. This initiative aligns with the broader movement across the Indian Armed Forces to integrate women into more combat and leadership roles. For instance, in 2018, Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi of the Indian Air Force became the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo, piloting a MiG-21 Bison.
Further more, the Navy recently appointed its first female commanding officer of a naval ship, underscoring its philosophy of “all roles-all ranks” for female personnel. This progressive inclusion mirrors the ongoing efforts within the Indian Army to open up new domains for women personnel.
The helicopter training school at INS Rajali, where Sub-Lieutenant Rajeev trained, has a distinguished history of over fifty years and has trained 849 pilots from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and allied foreign nations. Its reputation for professional excellence continues to grow as it prepares pilots for the challenges of modern naval warfare and peacetime operations. Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev’s entry into this elite group of aviators is not just a personal victory but a landmark event that paves the way for future generations of women in the Indian military, proving that the sky is truly the limit.
