Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia Becomes Indian Navy’s First Woman Fighter Pilot Trainee for MiG-29K

Visakhapatnam, 5th July 2025: Marking a historic leap for gender inclusion in the Indian armed forces, Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman officer in the Indian Navy to be inducted into its fighter pilot training programme. She is now set to begin a year-long advanced training course that will eventually qualify her to operate MiG-29K fighter jets—the Navy’s carrier-based combat aircraft.

Sub-Lt Poonia, in her early 20s, was formally awarded her “Wings of Gold”—a symbol of becoming a naval aviator—after successfully completing her transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. She was joined by Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull, who also earned his wings in the same ceremony held on Thursday.

Breaking Barriers in Naval Aviation
Speaking about the achievement, a senior Navy official stated:
“Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia is the first woman to be streamed into the fighter aircraft stream of naval aviation. This milestone reflects a transformative shift in operational roles for women in the Navy. Her induction into this demanding track paves the way for future women fighter pilots in Indian naval aviation.”

While the Indian Air Force (IAF) already boasts over 20 women fighter pilots, the Navy had so far limited women’s roles to flying fixed-wing maritime surveillance aircraft like the P-8I and Dornier, as well as helicopters. Sub-Lt Poonia’s selection into the fighter stream marks a first for the Navy and a significant step towards gender parity in combat roles.

Next Phase: Carrier-Based Training
Sub-Lt Poonia will now begin rigorous training on frontline naval fighters, with a focus on the MiG-29K—a powerful supersonic aircraft capable of launching from the decks of aircraft carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

She is scheduled to train at INS Hansa in Goa, which houses a shore-based test facility equipped with a ski-jump, simulating the take-off conditions from an aircraft carrier. This next phase will involve advanced combat flying, take-off and landing simulations, and intensive operational sorties.

Shaping the Future of Women in Uniform
The Indian military’s recent years have seen a gradual expansion of roles for women, especially in aviation. The Indian Air Force opened its fighter stream to women in 2016, and the Army and Navy have since taken steps to allow women in permanent commission roles and more combat-related responsibilities.

Sub-Lt Poonia’s entry into the fighter cockpit is being viewed as a watershed moment for the Navy.
Defence analysts say that while the journey of women into combat aviation has been slow, it has gained momentum with visible institutional support.

“This is more than just a symbolic step. Once operational, Sub-Lieutenant Poonia will be flying frontline fighters from aircraft carriers—a role that demands precision, courage, and elite flying skills,” said a retired Navy officer.

As Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia embarks on her high-octane training path, she not only earns her place in naval history but also becomes a trailblazer for future generations of women aiming for the skies from the decks of India’s warships.