India will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force from 20 July to 7 August 2026 across Northern Territory and Queensland.
Exercise profile
- Nature: Biennial multinational air combat exercise hosted by RAAF.
- Dates and locations: 20 July–7 August 2026; RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal (Northern Territory) and Amberley (Queensland).
- Scale: Over 100 aircraft and about 4,400 military personnel from 19 nations.
Indian contingent
- Force composition: Multi-role task force expected from the Indian Air Force.
- Combat aircraft: Rafale jets likely to debut; Su-30MKI also expected.
- Support aircraft: C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter and IL-78 mid-air refuellers reported.
- Prior participation: India took part in Pitch Black in 2018, 2022 and 2024.
Operational focus
- Warfare scenarios: Complex, combat-like exercises emphasising offensive counter-air and air-defence tracking.
- Tactical goals: Tactical coordination, integration of aerial refuelling and heavy-lift logistics.
- Systems practice: Network-centric operations and coalition interoperability under simulated threat environments.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Rafale: 4.5‑generation multirole fighter equipped for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
- C-17 Globemaster III: Strategic airlifter used for rapid personnel and equipment mobility.
- IL-78: Aerial refueller enabling extended range and endurance of combat aircraft.
- Host authority: Pitch Black is planned and conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).