Princess Salma of Jordan: The Pioneering First Female Pilot in Jordan's Military History

Princess Salma bint Abdullah, born in 2000, serves as a first lieutenant in the Royal Jordanian Air Force, making history in Jordan's military aviation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his two-day diplomatic mission to Jordan on Monday. Upon arrival, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan welcomed him with a ceremonial reception. The following day, Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II personally escorted PM Modi to explore the Jordan Museum.

The Crown Prince is one of four royal siblings. Among them, Princess Salma bint Abdullah has garnered particular attention during this diplomatic visit due to her groundbreaking role within the Jordanian Armed Forces.

Princess Salma bint Abdullah, born in 2000, holds the rank of first lieutenant in the Royal Jordanian Air Force. She achieved a historic milestone in 2020 by becoming Jordan's first female military pilot after successfully completing comprehensive theoretical and practical training with the Jordanian Armed Forces. According to official records from the Royal Hashemite Court, she qualified to operate fixed-wing aircraft at just 19 years of age.

As the third child and second daughter of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, Princess Salma represents the new generation of Jordan's royal family.

Her military career began when she graduated from the prestigious short commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in November 2018. In a significant ceremony at the Husseiniya Palace in Amman, Princess Salma received her aviation wings directly from her father, King Abdullah II. This momentous occasion was attended by Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein.

The connection between the Jordanian royal family and Sandhurst runs deep, with several distinguished alumni including the late King Hussein, King Abdullah II, and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The official wings ceremony took place at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman, with Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in attendance.

Jordan's royal family, belonging to the centuries-old Hashemite dynasty, is widely recognized as one of the most progressive and respected monarchies in the Muslim world. While primarily based in Amman, the family continues to utilize historic sites such as Raghadan Palace for formal state functions.

King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein assumed the throne in 1999 following his father King Hussein's passing. With educational credentials spanning Jordan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—including Sandhurst, Oxford, and Georgetown—he established an extensive military career before his ascension to kingship.

Queen Rania, née Rania Al Yassin, born to Palestinian parents, has earned international acclaim for her dedicated advocacy in education, women's rights, and cross-cultural dialogue. At just 29 years old when she became queen, she held the distinction of being the world's youngest queen at that time.

Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, born in 1994, stands as the heir to the Jordanian throne. He married Princess Rajwa in 2023, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Princess Iman, in 2024.

Princess Iman bint Abdullah, born in 1996, graduated from Georgetown University. In 2023, she married financier Jameel Thermiotis, and they welcomed their first child in 2025.

Prince Hashem bin Abdullah, born in 2005, is the youngest of the four siblings and currently second in line to the throne.

The late King Hussein bin Talal, fondly remembered as the "Humane King," guided Jordan through 47 years of his distinguished reign.