Another glass ceiling has been broken in the Indian Air Force, with Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth becoming the first woman pilot to clear the prestigious Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior.The achievement is significant, given that only a handful of IAF pilots are selected for the demanding 20-week programme, which trains officers in advanced combat tactics.Squadron Leader Kanth first made history in June 2016 when she was commissioned as one of the Indian Air Force’s first three women fighter pilots, alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh.The development comes just months after Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh was awarded the Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) badge. Squadron Leader Singh also piloted President Droupadi Murmu in a Rafale aircraft in October last year.Earlier this year, Squadron Leader Saanya became the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force to earn the coveted Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification, breaking yet another glass ceiling.TACDE itself has a rich and storied legacy. Originally established as the Tactics and Combat Development and Training Squadron in 1971, it was redesignated as TACDE in 1972 and has since become the Indian Air Force’s premier institution for sharpening its operational edge.Its mandate includes developing tactical procedures for aircraft, drafting standard operating procedures, and training pilots in doctrines spanning fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters, controllers and guided weapons. The establishment also evaluates newly inducted aircraft, radars and weapon systems before they are integrated into service.TACDE is often compared to the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor programme, better known as “Top Gun.”The instructors at TACDE are handpicked for their professional excellence and are drawn from fighter and helicopter streams as well as radar controllers. Their role is to impart advanced combat training in both air and ground operations, ensuring that graduates are prepared to lead in complex operational environments. In addition to the Fighter Combat Leader course, TACDE conducts the Helicopter Combat Leader and Master Fighter Controller courses, integrating air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, electronic warfare, and surface-to-air coordination.
