Nari Shakti: Astha Poonia becomes Indian Navy's first woman fighter pilot

Jul 04, 2025

VISAKHAPATNAM: Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia officially became the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of Naval Aviation.

Paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the force, and shattering barriers, Poonia also received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air).

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy celebrated the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at the Naval Air Station, INS Dega, in Visakhapatnam.

Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull and Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, ACNS (Air) on July 3.