The Gender Pivot: How Women Are Shaping a More Inclusive Defence Sector

By Prikansha Luthra, Co-Founder and Director at Vijayan Trishul Defence Solution.

For the longest time, the defence sector was seen as a male bastion — uniforms, command posts, and strategic decisions were almost always associated with men. But that image is quietly, and powerfully, changing. Today, women are not just participating — they are leading, innovating, and shaping the future of national security in India.

Across the country, we are witnessing this transformation. From the gates of the National Defence Academy to the corridors of DRDO and DPSUs, women are stepping into roles that were once off-limits — and excelling. The impact is not just symbolic — it’s structural, cultural, and deeply inspiring.

At Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we believe that excellence has no gender. We’re proud to see capable women shaping our growth journey — not only as professionals but as leaders with vision and values.

One such leader is Prikansha Luthra, Co-founder and Director of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Her contribution to VTDS has been nothing short of transformational. With a calm head and a compassionate heart, she has led teams, taken bold decisions, and mentored many — all while helping us build a work culture that’s inclusive, respectful, and future-ready. She reminds us that leadership is not about volume, but about values.

In the larger ecosystem, women are making headlines for all the right reasons. Just recently, during Operation Sindoor, two remarkable officers — Colonel Sofiya Qureshi from the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force — led the national media briefing on India’s rescue operations from war-torn areas.

This wasn’t just about optics. These officers came with years of field experience, deep operational insight, and the quiet confidence that only comes from having faced real-life challenges head-on. Their presence sent a powerful message: that women in uniform are not just capable — they are essential to India’s defence narrative.

In defence, inclusion isn’t just a progressive ideal — it’s a practical advantage. Women bring a fresh lens to problem-solving, greater emotional intelligence to team dynamics, and a collaborative spirit that enhances overall efficiency.

More importantly, when girls and young women see others like them leading missions, designing defence tech, or making policy — it expands their horizon of what’s possible. Representation matters, and the ripple effect it creates is real.

At Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we are consciously creating space for women to grow and thrive. It’s not just about hiring — it’s about building systems where women feel heard, respected, and empowered to lead. We support STEM learning for girls and are working to highlight the journeys of women shaping India’s defence story.

We know the challenges are still there — from gender bias to pay gaps and lack of visibility in high-stakes roles. But we also know that change is happening, one leader, one decision, one breakthrough at a time.

This gender pivot is not about replacing men — it’s about working together, better. It’s about recognising that strength, resilience, and strategy are not gendered traits — they are human ones. And by including more women in the picture, we’re drawing a fuller, stronger version of India’s defence future.

At Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we are proud to be part of this journey. And we look forward to a time when having women at the helm is no longer the exception — but the norm.