Latest news with #AsthaPoonia
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Business Standard
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
In a first, Indian Navy inducts woman officer into its fighter pilot stream
In a historic moment for the Indian Navy, Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia has officially become the first woman to be inducted into the fighter stream, marking a major milestone in the Navy's journey towards greater gender inclusivity in combat roles, news agency ANI reported. Sub-Lieutenant Poonia received the prestigious "Wings of Gold" from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), during a ceremony held on Thursday (July 3). She completed the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at Naval Air Station INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull, who was also conferred the same honour. Defence acquisition council clears key deals On the same day, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by the Defence Minister, approved 10 capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹1.05 trillion. The proposals include the procurement of indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs), naval vessels, and other defence systems. The approvals cover armoured recovery vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated common inventory management system for the tri-services. Surface-to-air missiles were also part of the key items cleared. Navy gets stealth edge with Udaygiri frigate Adding to its modernisation, the Indian Navy recently received Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate of the Project 17A class, from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The advanced multi-mission warship, capable of operating in blue-water environments, was designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau. According to MDL, Udaygiri features cutting-edge technologies for stealth, sea-keeping, and survivability, with hull shaping and signature suppression techniques making it comparable to top-class global warships. INS Arnala joins Navy's shallow-water warfare fleet Further strengthening its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Navy last month commissioned INS Arnala — the first of 16 indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWC). Named after a coastal fort in Maharashtra, the 77-metre-long ship is part of the Eastern Naval Command and is the largest Indian Naval warship to be powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination. The vessel is equipped with advanced underwater sensors, acoustic communication systems, and a comprehensive weapons suite, including lightweight torpedoes, rockets, decoys, and mine-laying capabilities. It also supports search and rescue operations in coastal waters.
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia becomes Indian Navy's first woman fighter pilot trainee
Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of Naval Aviation, the Navy said Friday. Once she completes her year-long training, she would qualify for the fighter stream of naval aviation and may fly the MiG-29K or Rafale M fighter jet off the Navy's aircraft carriers. The Navy's announcement came after the winging ceremony of the second basic Hawk conversion course. Advanced flying training of India military pilots take place in the British-origin Hawk Mk 132 advanced jet trainer before they train on frontline fighter jets. 'On 3 July 2025, Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull and Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air),' the navy said in a statement. 'SLt Aastha Poonia becomes the first woman to be streamed into the Fighter stream of Naval Aviation – Shattering barriers and paving way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy,' it said. Defence sources said SLt Poonia is from Meerut and does not hail from a military background. She has completed her BTech, before applying for the aviation branch in the Navy. The Navy has already inducted women officers as pilots and naval air operations officers in maritime reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters. 'Streaming of SLt Aastha Poonia into the Fighter Stream highlights the Indian Navy's commitment towards gender inclusivity in Naval Aviation and promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity,' the Navy said. The Navy operates two aircraft carriers, which are the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The MiG-29K is the primary aircraft that operates from INS Vikramaditya. In April this year, India and France inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy. With the MiG-29 Ks slated to be phased out in the next few years, procuring the jet is an interim arrangement for the Navy's aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant—till it acquires the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) which is currently under development by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the DRDO.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Nari Shakti: Astha Poonia becomes Indian Navy's first woman fighter pilot
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 4 (ANI): Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia officially became the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of Naval Aviation. Paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the force, and shattering barriers, Poonia also received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air). According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy celebrated the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at the Naval Air Station, INS Dega, in Visakhapatnam. Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull and Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air) on July 3. Earlier on Thursday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared 10 capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 1.05 lakh crore for the procurement of indigenously sourced quick reaction surface-to-air missiles, naval vessels, and other equipment. The DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals, including the procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services, and Surface-to-Air Missiles, according to an official statement from the Defence Ministry. The Council met for the first time after Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 in response to the heinous Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India's response was deliberate, precise, and strategic. Without crossing the Line of Control or international boundary, Indian forces struck terrorist infrastructure and eliminated multiple threats. Additionally, the ministry stated that AoNs were also accorded for the procurement of Moored Mines, Mine Countermeasure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels, to enable the mitigation of potential risks posed to naval and Merchant Vessels. Earlier, on June 30, defence sources reported that the tri-services had submitted various proposals for procurement, including the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The project, worth around Rs 30,000 crore, would be critical for the Indian Army's air defence capabilities as the system can be effective against targets up to 30 km. The three aircraft would be acquired from an original equipment manufacturer and then be modified by the DRDO lab Centre for Airborne Systems in partnership with private partners. (ANI)
NDTV
2 days ago
- General
- NDTV
'Wings Of Gold' For Sub Lt Astha Poonia, 1st Woman Fighter Pilot In Navy: 5 Points
New Delhi: Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia has become the first woman to enter the fighter pilot stream of the Indian Navy. She may fly the MiG-29K one day. Women are already serving as pilots and officers in maritime reconnaissance roles in the Indian Navy. Here's a brief look at women fighter pilots in navies around the world Sub Lt Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air). Her historic achievement that captured the spotlight is also a moment that stands as a testament to the Indian Navy's commitment to gender inclusivity and its efforts to empower women under the broader vision of Nari Shakti (women power). The induction of the woman officer as a naval fighter pilot not only shatters a long-standing glass ceiling but also sends a message that women officers are equally capable of matching their male counterparts in the most demanding combat roles. Several countries have allowed women to be navy fighter pilots, reflecting a growing trend. The US has had women flying combat aircraft, including carrier-borne combat pilots, since the 1990s. Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) Royal Navy have women flying combat jets. In Israel, women have a history of flying combat missions, with restrictions lifted in 1995. China too has started recruiting women for naval aviation, including the fighter stream.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes first women maritime fighter pilot
NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy on Friday inducted the first women into its fighter stream as she graduated as part of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Indian Navy said, 'Sub Lieutenant (Lt) Aastha Poonia becomes the first woman to be steamed into the Fighter stream of Naval Aviation – Shattering barriers and paving way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy.' The Indian Navy has already inducted women officers as Pilots and Naval Air Operations Officers in MR aircraft and helicopters, the statement said. Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia, along with Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull, received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (ACNS) Air. The Navy added 'Streaming of SLt Aastha Poonia into the Fighter Stream highlights the Indian Navy's commitment towards gender inclusivity in Naval Aviation and promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity.'
