The Indian Air Force contingent reached Australia on 17 July 2026 to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026. The deployment comprises four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemaster III transports and over 120 Air Warriors.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026
- Host and dates: Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force; scheduled 20 July–7 August 2026.
- Locations: RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley in northern Australia.
- Scale: Around 20 nations, up to 100 combat aircraft and ~2,500 personnel expected in 2026.
- Focus areas: Complex air combat, large-force employment, and multinational interoperability including operations with fifth-generation F‑35 fighters.
Indian Air Force Deployment
- Asset mix: Four Rafale fighters and two C‑17 Globemaster III strategic transports; complement of support personnel and equipment.
- Firsts: IAF has earlier deployed Su‑30MKI to Pitch Black; 2026 marks first Rafale participation in this exercise.
- Roles: Air-to-air training, force integration, long‑range logistics and expeditionary operations practice.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Rafale: Twin‑engine multirole fighter by Dassault Aviation (France); NATO code ‘Rafale’.
- C‑17 Globemaster III: Strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas); used for long‑range airlift and airdrop.
- RAAF bases: Darwin/Tindal/Amberley are key northern Australia hubs for large‑scale multinational exercises and force projection into the Indo‑Pacific.