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Time of India
20 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
India's first woman naval fighter pilot begins Mig-29K training as navy expands carrier air power with Rafale-M deal
First female Indian navy fighter pilot — indiannavy (@indiannavy) Advanced Carrier-Based Training Ahead Live Events India Expands Naval Aviation Capabilities Defence Ministry Clears Key Naval Projects Worth Thousands of Crores (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia is set to become the Indian Navy 's first woman fighter pilot, beginning her final year of training that will qualify her to operate MiG-29K fighter jets from aircraft carriers at Poonia, in her early 20s, was awarded the "Wings of Gold" alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. The course included rigorous instruction in combat manoeuvres, marking a significant step toward operational readiness.'Sub-Lt Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation, shattering barriers and paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy,' a naval officer said to upcoming training phase will include extensive sorties on aircraft that simulate carrier-based operations , including take-offs from a ski-jump that mimics the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Upon completion, she will be qualified to operate the MiG-29K, the Navy's primary carrier-based fighter development follows the Indian Air Force's induction of over 20 women fighter pilots and reflects the ongoing integration of women into frontline combat roles across the armed Indian Navy currently operates 45 Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft for carrier-based operations. These aircraft are deployed aboard India's two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. To augment this capability, the Indian government signed a deal in April to procure 26 Dassault Rafale Marine aircraft at an estimated cost of ₹64,000 crore. These jets are intended to enhance India's maritime strike potential until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) becomes operational. According to current timelines, TEDBF is still nearly a decade away from a major boost to naval capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has cleared several new projects, the largest being the indigenous construction of 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), estimated to cost ₹44,000 crore. According to official sources quoted by TOI, construction of the 900–1,000-tonne ships is expected to take about ten years. Each vessel will be equipped to detect and neutralise underwater mines that pose threats to shipping lanes and Ministry has also approved the procurement of semi-submersible autonomous vessels designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). These platforms will be developed under the Make-II category, meaning they will be built by private industry without upfront government additional projects cleared include the acquisition of Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGMs)—76mm main guns used on naval surface vessels—and DRDO-designed moored naval mines capable of being triggered by acoustic, magnetic, or pressure signals when enemy vessels pass nearby.(With inputs from TOI)
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Business Standard
21 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.
News18
a day 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
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
After IAF, Navy gets 1st woman fighter pilot
NEW DELHI: After IAF, which now has over 20 women fighter pilots, the Navy too now has a woman officer all set to begin one year of final training to qualify as a full-fledged MiG-29K pilot capable of tearing into the sky from an aircraft carrier on the high seas. Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia and Lt Atul Kumar Dhull received their prestigious "Wings of Gold" after completing their transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers, which includes learning intensive combat maneuvers, at INS Dega at Visakhapatnam on Thursday. "Sub-Lt Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation, shattering barriers and paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy," an officer said . In her early-20s, Sub-Lt Poonia will now undergo extensive training on actual fighters, which has a ski-jump to resemble an aircraft carrier's deck.
India Gazette
2 days 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)
