“Sub-Lt. Anamika B Rajeev creates history becoming the first woman naval helicopter pilot,” states Indian Navy

In a history-making decision, India got its first woman pilot for the navy helicopter this year. Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev created history by joining the ranks of a pilot for the Indian Navy helicopters. This feat was achieved in last week’s passing-out parade when the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course was completed. It is now possible for Sub-Lieutenant Anamika to operate a wide range of helicopters, including the MH-60R Seahawk, Sea Kings, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruvs, and Chetaks.

On the occasion, the Navy spokesperson stated, "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 event also witnessed Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar giving prestigious “Golden Wings” to 21 officers. This passing-out parade marked the end of Stage I training for the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course along with graduation from the conversion course. This ceremony also saw Lieutenant Officer Jamyang Tsewang hailing from Ladakh, becoming the first commissioned naval officer from the Union Territory. 

Highlights of the Event

Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev becoming the Navy’s Helicopter pilot was not the only highlight of the ceremony. As many as 21 officers got the prestigious “Golden Wings” from Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. He was also the presiding officer for the event. 

• Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang also created history by becoming the first commissioned naval officer coming from Ladakh Union Territory.
• Lieutenant Gurkirat Rajput was awarded the  FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy, for being the best pilot in the course. 
• Lt. Nitin Sharan Chaturvedi received the Sub-Lieutenant Kunte Memorial Book Prize for his exceptional work on ground-related topics.
• Lieutenant Deepak Gupta received the Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy after placing first in the Overall Order of Merit.

Sub-Lieutenant Anamika’s Journey 

After finishing a rigorous 22-week training program at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561 at INS Rajali, Sub-Lieutenant Anamika made history with her remarkable achievement of becoming India’s first female pilot for a Navy helicopter. This squadron is renowned for its strict standards and thorough training for army pilots. It also serves as the alma mater for all helicopter pilots in the Indian Navy.

Sub-Lieutenant Anamika is now qualified to fly a variety of helicopters, such as the MH-60R Seahawk, Sea Kings, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruvs, and Chetaks. These planes are essential for many different naval duties, such as anti-piracy, search and rescue, and reconnaissance and surveillance.

Sub-Lieutenant Anamika received her training at the INS Rajali helicopter training school, which boasts a long five-decade history and has produced 849 pilots from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and allied countries. Its standing as a center of professional excellence keeps expanding as it trains pilots to meet the demands of modern naval combat and peacekeeping missions. 

Another step towards gender inclusivity

The Indian Navy has been advancing women's employment possibilities and gender inclusion in many ways. This initiative of the navy is in line with the large-scale change within the Indian Armed Forces in order to increase the proportion of women in combat and senior positions. For example, in 2018, Indian Air Force Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi made history as the first female pilot of a fighter aircraft when she flew a MiG-21 Bison solo. This was the first call of action towards achieving gender equality in the army. 

They are further proving the Navy's commitment to "all roles-all ranks" for female personnel, the service recently named its first female commanding officer of a naval ship. The Indian Army's continuous efforts to expand the roles available to female soldiers can be seen in the gradual inclusion of female personnel at higher ranks.

Women Who Created History in Indian Armed Forces

The path towards achieving gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces is still way ahead. But there are many milestones that have been crossed till now. Some of them are:

Avani Chaturvedi 

Avani Chaturvedi made history in 2018 when she participated in an aerial wargame overseas as the first female fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF). Her first flight as the fighter pilot took place in a 16-day mega air combat exercise with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) at the Japanese airbase of Hyakuri.

Group Captain Shaliza Dhami

Making history in 2023, Group Captain Shaliza Dhami was the first female Air Force officer to take over as commander of a front-line combat unit. She was chosen to command a missile squadron in the area facing the west. Additionally she was the first woman officer to be promoted to the rank of flight commander of a flying unit in the year 2019. 

Lt. Commander Prerna Deosthalee

Lieutenant Commander Prerna Deosthalee is the Indian Navy's first female officer to take command of a warship, Waterjet FAC INS Trinkat.

Captain Surbhi Jakhmola

In the year 2023, Captain Surbhi Jakhmola, an officer of the Indian Army from the 117 Engineer Regiment, was assigned to the Border Roads Organisation's Project Dantak in Bhutan. She made history as the first woman officer to be posted on a foreign assignment within the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Wing Commander Deepika Misra

As the first female officer in the Indian Air Force to receive a gallantry award, Wing Commander Deepika Misra achieved another milestone. The Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) was awarded to her for her heroic act of saving 47 lives during a flood relief mission in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2021.

All these decisions will have a long-lasting effect on the current status of women's representation in the army. After the government’s decision to increase women's participation in combat-related positions, all three divisions of the army are trying to increase the women's participation in their battalion, or squadrons.