Wings of Change: Aastha Poonia Becomes Indian Navy’s First Woman Fighter Pilot
History was made on July 3, 2025, when Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia earned her ‘Wings of Gold,’ becoming the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Navy. Soon, she will fly some of the Navy’s most advanced combat jets, including the powerful MiG-29s, marking a turning point for gender inclusion in India’s defence forces.The Indian Navy proudly shared the news on social media, calling it a “historic milestone” in naval aviation. Aastha received her wings at the Indian Naval Air Station, following the completion of the rigorous 2nd Basic Hawk Conversion Course. Rear Admiral Janak Bevli awarded her this prestigious honour alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhul.A Dream Takes FlightAastha’s journey from the small village of Hisawda in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district to the skies above India’s oceans is a story of determination and grit. The daughter of Arun Poonia, a mathematics teacher at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Sardhana, Meerut, Aastha dreamed of flying since childhood. Her father recalls how she would rush out of the house whenever she heard an aircraft overhead, gazing up with wonder.She completed her schooling at SD Public School in Muzaffarnagar and went on to pursue a B.Tech in Computer Science from Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur. But her heart was set on the skies. Selected through the Services Selection Board (SSB) in 2023, Aastha underwent one year of basic naval training at Ezhimala, Kerala, followed by fighter pilot training in Visakhapatnam.A New Era for the Indian NavyWhile the Navy already had women pilots flying reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters, Aastha’s achievement is the first step toward including women in its fighter stream—one of the most demanding and prestigious roles in military aviation.The exact aircraft she will be deployed on is yet to be announced, but she is expected to fly from India’s aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The MiG-29 fighter jets she may soon fly boast a combat range of over 700 km and can carry an array of bombs and missiles, making them a key part of India’s maritime defence.Pride for West UP and BeyondAastha’s historic feat has ignited a wave of pride in West Uttar Pradesh, especially in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar. At her father’s school, teachers and students alike celebrated the news, calling her a role model for girls across the country.As India’s first woman Navy fighter pilot, Aastha Poonia is not just fulfilling her childhood dream—she is inspiring an entire generation to aim for the skies.