Latest news with #JanakBevli
News18
8 hours ago
- General
- News18
After IAF, Indian Navy Assigns First Woman Officer To Fighter Stream
Last Updated: Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia joined the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala via a short-service commission entry after perusing her BTech. Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes the first woman inducted into the Indian Navy's fighter stream, the Indian Navy said in an official statement on Friday. Breaking all the barriers and setting an example of women empowerment, she also received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air). '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 official statement said. '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 added. Who Is Astha Poonia? – Sub Lt Aastha Poonia will undergo advanced training in the fighter stream, flying Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) for the next year. – Upon successful completion, she will be eligible to fly MiG-29K fighter jets from the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers. – She received the 'Wings of Gold' during the event marking the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at the Naval Air Station, INS Dega, in Visakhapatnam. – The Indian Navy in an official statement said that Poonia's induction highlights its 'commitment towards gender inclusivity in naval aviation and promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity." – Poonia joined the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala via a short-service commission entry after perusing her BTech. – While Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia sets a precedent in the Indian Navy, women have already made significant strides in the Indian Air Force. The IAF, the world's fourth-largest air force, opened its fighter stream to women in 2016—a landmark decision in India's military history. – Currently, around 25 women serve as fighter pilots in the IAF, flying advanced combat aircraft and contributing to a more inclusive future in the armed forces. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: July 05, 2025, 08:51 IST
India Gazette
21 hours 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)
