Rafale fighter aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) are part of the 'Pitch Black' international air exercise set to be hosted by Australia from July 20 to August 7, officials said. Besides, C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft also flew to Australia as part of the IAF team. However, the exact number of either type of plane was not revealed.
The exercise is expected to sharpen the operational synergy of the fighter jets along with facilitating the exchange of best practices between forces.
What is 'Pitch Black' air exercise?
Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) largest international exercise, featuring complex, combat-like scenarios across one of the largest military training areas in the world over a three-week period in Darwin, according to the RAAF's website. Since 1983, Darwin has hosted the war games with the help of RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine and RAAF Base Amberley, south-west of Brisbane. This time, the biennial multinational air combat exercise brings together the air forces of 19 nations.
Military personnel from Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the US will be part of Pitch Black 2026. While India decided to send its Rafales, Japan has reportedly sent its F-35 Lightning II, and Indonesia has brought its T-50I Golden Eagle jets to the exercise for the first time.
The IAF posted on X on Friday, "The Indian Air Force contingent has landed in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026.
"Flying the formidable Rafale, the IAF will train alongside friendly Air Forces. The exercise will sharpen operational synergy and facilitate the exchange of best practices. Ready. Capable. Focused," it said, sharing some photos of the IAF's fighter jets and air warriors.
Why 'Pitch Black 2026' matters?
As per Australian media, Pitch Black 2026 is going to be the largest edition in the exercise's 45-year history, bringing together over 100 aircraft. The edition's focus is on the complexity of multinational air operations rather than on any one country's participation.
The Indian Embassy in Jakarta also shared an update on the fighter jets and their mid-air refuelling.
"Strengthening India-Indonesia partnerships, an IL-78 Air to Air Refueller of the Indian Air Force operated from Juanda airport, Surabaya, to carry out mid-air refuelling of IAF Rafale fighter a/c transiting Indonesian airspace, to participate in Ex Pitch Black in Darwin, Australia," it posted on X.
"The Embassy and Air Warriors of India thank and appreciate the assistance and opportunity extended by the government of Indonesia in allowing Indian military platforms to operate from Indonesia," it said, attaching some photos to the post.
According to the RAAF's website, "Exercise Pitch Black returns to the Top End from July 20 to August 7, creating an opportunity for over 100 aircraft and personnel from 19 allied and partner nations to exercise together, and strengthen regional and global interoperability."
