Rear Admiral Janak Bevli presents "Wings of Gold" to Sub Lt Aastha Poonia (Photo: Indian Navy)
New Delhi: Breaking barriers and ushering in a new era for women fighter pilots in the Indian Navy, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter division of Indian Naval Air Arm in the country.
She will be flying the Russian-origin fighter aircraft MiG-29K that the Indian Navy currently operates. It should be noted that the Navy is also procuring French-origin Rafale (M) aircraft, which will be deployed on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The Indian Navy is expected to start receiving Rafale (M) aircraft from 2028 and conclude deliveries by 2030. The Navy signed a contract to procure 26 Rafale (M) aircraft from French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation in April 2025.
Navy spokesman Captain Vivek Madhwal said: “She has graduated as part of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam,” adding that Poonia received the prestigious “Wings of Gold” from rear admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air). Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull also received the “Wings of Gold” from Bevli.
She completed her training on the Hawk 132 advanced jet trainer, which prepares pilots for high-level combat skills. Madhwal further stated that the Indian Navy has already inducted women officers as pilots and naval air operations officers in MR aircraft and helicopters.
“Streaming of Sub Lt Aastha Poonia into the fighter stream highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment towards gender inclusivity in Naval Aviation and promoting Nari Shakti (women’s empowerment), fostering a culture of equality and opportunity.”
It is worth mentioning that in recent decades, the Indian armed forces have witnessed a remarkable increase in women’s participation. According to official data presented to the Lok Sabha last year, over 11,000 women are currently serving in the armed forces, with the Indian Army having the highest number.
In 2016, the Indian Air Force broke into the combat flying stream and commissioned the first batch of three women officers – Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh – into the fighter stream. The Navy opened all branches, including submarines and aviation, in 2022 for women officers, with several already serving aboard ships and in aviation roles.
A few years ago, the Army began inducting women at the soldier level in the Corps of Military Police, and around 1,700 women officers currently serve across various arms and services. Except for the combat stream, including infantry, armoured and mechanized infantry, all arms and services are now open to women officers.
As of now, the Air Force has a total of 20 women fighter pilots, according to the latest available data.
