Sub Lt Aastha Poonia Becomes First Woman Navy Fighter Pilot Trainee

Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman to join the fighter pilot training stream of the Indian Navy. The announcement was made on July 4, 2025, after a special ceremony held at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. This is an important step toward gender equality in India’s armed forces and a proud moment for women in defense.

A Big Moment in Naval Aviation

The Indian Navy said that Sub Lt Aastha Poonia has been chosen to be trained as a fighter pilot. She will undergo one year of training, after which she may get to fly powerful aircraft like the MiG-29K or the Rafale M from the Navy’s aircraft carriers. The announcement came during the winging ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, where pilots are trained on the Hawk Mk 132 jets before flying actual warplanes.

Winging Ceremony and Achievements

On July 3, 2025, both Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull and Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia were awarded the “Wings of Gold” by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, who is the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air). The Navy proudly shared that Aastha Poonia is the first woman to enter the fighter stream—a big step forward for Nari Shakti (women power) in the forces.

Aastha’s Background and the Navy’s Vision

Aastha Poonia is from Meerut and does not come from a military family. She completed her BTech degree and later joined the aviation branch of the Navy. The Navy has already included women as helicopter pilots and air operations officers, but this is the first time a woman has been selected for fighter jet training. The Navy said that this move shows its strong support for women empowerment and equal opportunities in all fields.

What Lies Ahead for the Navy

The Navy currently operates two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. The MiG-29K is the main fighter jet on these ships, but it will be replaced in the coming years. In April 2025, India signed an agreement with France to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Navy. A more advanced jet, the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), is also being developed by DRDO. Aastha may get to fly these jets in the future.