India’s Rafale fighter jets and C-17 transport aircraft have arrived in Australia to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force’s premier multinational air combat exercise, Pitch Black 2026. The Indian Air Force contingent, comprising four Rafale and two C17 aircraft along with over 120 Air Warriors, will engage in the exercise held from 20 July to 7 August across RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley in northern Australia.
The High Commission of India in Canberra expressed pride in welcoming the Indian Air Force contingent, emphasizing India’s commitment to strengthening military partnerships and enhancing operational coordination with friendly nations. The deployment aims to enhance interoperability, sharpen combat flying skills, strengthen relationships, and build lasting bonds between participating nations.
During the three-week exercise, the Indian Air Force contingent will engage in complex air combat scenarios alongside air forces from the Indo-Pacific and Europe. This participation provides an opportunity to improve interoperability, exchange operational expertise, and strengthen multilateral defence ties. Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will witness the involvement of up to 100 jet aircraft and over 2,500 personnel from 20 participating nations.
The exercise, hosted in Darwin since 1983, serves as the RAAF’s flagship international air combat exercise. Notably, this year’s edition will feature the debut of Japan’s F-35 Lightning II fighters and Indonesia’s T-50I Golden Eagle jets. Additionally, Finland and Sweden will participate with embedded personnel for the first time. Various countries, including the United States, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and others, will partake in the exercise, emphasizing the significance of strengthening partnerships and alliances.
Air Commodore Matthew McCormack, Exercise Commander of Pitch Black 2026, highlighted the exercise’s importance, stating, “Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is Air Force’s largest, collective training activity with our partners and allies.”
