Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia makes history, to join as Navy's first woman fighter pilot

Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia is set to become the Navy’s first woman fighter pilot, marking a significant milestone in the force’s journey towards greater gender inclusivity.

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The Navy announced that Sub Lt Poonia has successfully completed the Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. She will now undergo a year-long advanced training programme to qualify for operating MiG-29K fighter jets, which are flown from the decks of the Navy’s aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

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.

Hailing from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Sub-Lt Poonia is the first woman officer to be streamed into the fighter flying cadre of naval aviation. While the Navy has previously inducted women as pilots and air operations officers in maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters, this is the first time a woman will join the elite fighter stream.

“The induction of Sub Lt Poonia into the fighter stream highlights the Navy’s commitment to gender inclusivity and the promotion of Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity,” the Navy said in a statement.