Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia created historical past by turning into the primary lady to be inducted into the fighter stream of naval aviation, reported PTI on Friday.
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia will now bear coaching to qualify as a fighter pilot.
Earlier on 3 July, Sub Lieutenant Poonia and Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull acquired the celebrated ‘Wings of Gold’ from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Workers (Air) on the winging ceremony, the defence ministry stated in a press release.
“Sub Lt Aastha Poonia turns into the primary lady to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation, shattering obstacles and paving approach for a brand new period of ladies fighter pilots within the Navy,” it stated.
The Indian Navy celebrated the commencement of the Second Primary Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.
Earlier, the Indian Navy had inducted girls officers as pilots and naval air operations officers in Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) plane and helicopters.
With Sub Lt Aastha Poonia’s streaming into the fighter stream, Indian Navy’s dedication in direction of “gender inclusivity in naval aviation” has been highlighted.
Ladies fighter pilots in different streams:
The Indian Air Power was the primary among the many tri-services to accommodate girls in its fighter stream in 2016. The tally has reached 20 as of now. The ladies fighter pilots within the IAF fly plane such because the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29s, and MiG-21 Bison, in addition to copters.
In 2021, the Indian Military Aviation Corps allowed girls pilots and Main Abhilasha was the primary lady fight aviator within the Military Aviation Corps.
