Latest news with #AasthaPoonia
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sub Lt Aastha Poonia Becomes First Woman In Navy Fighter Stream, Rewrites Military History
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has just done what no Indian woman has ever done before: become the first woman to enter the Indian Navy's fighter aircraft stream. Trained to launch and land combat jets from aircraft carriers, she now stands at the frontline of naval aviation. But her story is part of a much larger wave. From Gunjan Saxena in Kargil, to Shivangi Singh in a Rafale, to the NDA's first women cadets, Indian women are reshaping the military narrative. They're not just joining — they're leading. Watch how courage, grit, and unshakable belief have helped these women rewrite the rules of India's defence forces.#aasthapoonia #indiannavy #womeninuniform #fighterpilot #breakingbarriers #operationsindoor #shivangisingh #gunjansaxena #womenwarriors #indiandefence #subltaastha #womeninforces #bharatkibeti #ndawomencadets #firstinnavy #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews
Time of India
05-07-2025
- 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)
News18
05-07-2025
- 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
04-07-2025
- 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.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- 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.
