Squadron Leader Priya Sharma represents a new generation of officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF), combining skill, discipline, and a strong commitment to service. As the seventh woman fighter pilot in the IAF, her journey reflects both personal determination and the growing role of women in combat aviation.
Her recent achievement to fly the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas highlights India’s growth towards self-reliance in defence.
Who is Squadron Leader Priya Sharma?
Priya Sharma hails from Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, a region known for its strong connection to the armed forces. Inspired by her father, an IAF officer, she developed an early interest in aviation while watching aircraft like Jaguars and Hawks during his postings.
She pursued engineering and completed her B.Tech from IIIT Kota, building a strong technical base essential for modern fighter flying. During her college years, her involvement with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) further strengthened her ambition to join the armed forces.
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This week on Raksha Sutra, step into the cockpit with Squadron Leader Priya Sharma - a fighter pilot who chose the skies, embraced the pressure, and proved her mettle where every second demands precision.
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) March 28, 2026
From her first solo flight to flying alongside the Chief of Air Staff, her… pic.twitter.com/Ezg57OvPj8
In December 2018, she graduated from the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, as the only woman fighter pilot in her batch of 35. She was commissioned as a Flying Officer by then Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, marking her place among the early women inducted into fighter roles after 2016.
From MiG-21 to Tejas: A modern fighter journey
Sharma initially trained and served on legacy platforms, including the MiG-21, one of the IAF’s longest-serving aircraft. She played a key role in the aircraft’s farewell ceremony at Chandigarh in September 2025, participating in the six-aircraft flypast that marked the end of its six-decade service.
Following this, she transitioned to the LCA Tejas and is now associated with No. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets.” Her journey reflects the IAF’s shift towards indigenous and advanced fighter platforms.
Her experiences have also been featured in defence outreach programmes, where she has shared insights into flying, training, and life in the cockpit.
