Captain Hansja Sharma: India’s First Woman Rudra Helicopter Pilot, to Lead Army Aviation Squadron at Republic Day Parade
Captain Hansja Sharma of the Indian Army is set to create yet another landmark moment by leading the 251 Army Aviation Squadron at the upcoming Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, reinforcing her place among India’s most inspiring military trailblazers.
Hailing from Jammu, Captain Sharma is the Indian Army’s first woman pilot qualified to fly the Rudra armed helicopter, a frontline combat platform of the Army Aviation Corps. Her journey has consistently broken barriers—most notably at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Nashik, where she topped her course and became the first woman officer to receive the prestigious Silver Cheetah Trophy, awarded to the best combat aviator.
During Republic Day Parade rehearsals, Captain Sharma was seen confidently commanding her squadron from a command vehicle equipped with the HELINA (Helicopter-Launched Nag) guided missile system, a symbol of the Army Aviation Corps’ modern combat capability. The HELINA missile, deployed from the Rudra helicopter, is designed for precision strikes against enemy armour and fortified targets, underscoring the squadron’s operational strength.
Footage of Captain Sharma leading the formation during rehearsals quickly gained traction online, drawing widespread admiration for her leadership, composure, and the historic significance of her role in one of India’s most revered national ceremonies.
A Journey Defined by Resolve
Captain Hansja Sharma’s rise has been shaped by resilience and unwavering determination. A resident of Rehari Colony, Jammu, she faced multiple challenges on her path to commissioning, including medical setbacks related to eyesight and weight. Through discipline, persistence, and focused effort, she overcame each hurdle to realise her dream of serving in the Indian Army. Her time in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) played a crucial role in building her leadership foundation and military ethos.
Her mother, Rashmi Sharma, expressed great pride in her daughter’s achievements, describing the moment as one of immense honour for both the family and the region. She credited Hansja’s success to years of sacrifice, hard work, and unshakeable resolve.
A Powerful Symbol of Naari Shakti
From winning the Silver Cheetah Trophy to piloting the Rudra armed helicopter and now commanding an Army Aviation Squadron at the Republic Day Parade, Captain Hansja Sharma stands as a compelling symbol of Naari Shakti and the Indian Army’s commitment to merit-based, gender-neutral combat roles.
Her achievements reflect the expanding role of women in frontline combat aviation and continue to inspire young aspirants across the country, especially women aspiring to serve in technically demanding and high-responsibility military roles.
As Captain Hansja Sharma leads her squadron along Kartavya Path this Republic Day, she embodies a new era of the Indian Army-confident, inclusive, and relentlessly driven by excellence in service to the nation.
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