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IAF Jets Soar at Australia's Pitch Black Exercise
18 Jul
Summary
- Indian Air Force Rafale jets are participating in Australia's Pitch Black exercise.
- The biennial multinational air combat exercise occurs between July 20 and August 7.
- Nineteen nations are involved in the large-scale military training event.
Multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter jets have arrived in Australia to participate in the 'Pitch Black' international air exercise. This premier biennial multinational air combat drill, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is scheduled to run from July 20 to August 7. The exercise is designed to sharpen operational synergy and facilitate the exchange of best practices among the participating air forces.
The 'Pitch Black' exercise provides a unique platform for 19 nations to enhance interoperability and strengthen operational cooperation. It features complex, combat-like scenarios conducted over a three-week period in Darwin, utilizing one of the world's largest military training areas. Participating nations include Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the UK, and the US.
As part of the transit, an Indian Air Force IL-78 Air to Air Refueller operated from Juanda airport in Surabaya, Indonesia, to provide mid-air refueling for the IAF Rafale aircraft traversing Indonesian airspace en route to Darwin. The Indian Embassy in Jakarta expressed gratitude to Indonesia for assisting Indian military platforms operating from their territory. The exercise involves over 100 aircraft and personnel, aiming to strengthen regional and global interoperability.
