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Hans India
04-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes first woman fighter pilot in IN
Visakhapatnam: Breaking barriers and paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation. As the Indian Navy celebrated the winging ceremony of the second Basic Hauk Conversion course organised at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air). It's a proud moment for the Indian Naval Aviation as a big leap has been taken towards Nari Shakti in combat roles. Soon, SLt Aastha Poonia will be flying MiG-29K aircraft or the naval version of the Rafale fighter jet. The Indian Navy inducted women officers as pilots and Naval Air Operations Officers in MR aircraft and helicopters. The graduation was celebrated at the INS Dega on July 3. The Indian Navy mentioned that streaming of SLt Aastha Poonia into the combat roles highlights the Indian Navy's commitment towards gender inclusivity in naval aviation, promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity and marking a new chapter in naval aviation.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sub Lt Poonia becomes first woman to be inducted into fighter stream of naval aviation
Sub Lt Aastha Poonia has become the first woman to be inducted into the fighter stream of naval aviation, paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the force, officials said on Friday. She will now undergo training for qualifying as a fighter pilot. The Indian Navy celebrated the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. On July 3, Lt Atul Kumar Dhull and Sub Lieutenant Poonia received the prestigious ' Wings of Gold ' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) at the winging ceremony, the defence ministry said in a statement. "Sub Lt 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. Live Events The Indian Navy has already inducted women officers as pilots and naval air operations officers in Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) aircraft and helicopters, the statement said. Streaming of Sub Lt Poonia into the fighter stream highlights the Navy's commitment towards " gender inclusivity in naval aviation ", fostering a culture of equality and opportunity, it added.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- 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.'
