![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale fighter jets have arrived in Australia to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a premier multinational air combat drill that will bring together air forces from 19 countries for high-end combat training from July 20 to August 7.
Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the biennial exercise will be conducted across RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in Australia’s Northern Territory, which will serve as the hub for complex air combat missions involving more than 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from allied and partner nations.
The Indian contingent comprises four Rafale fighter aircraft, two C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft and over 120 air warriors, marking another significant deployment by the IAF to enhance interoperability with friendly air forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Announcing the deployment on X, the IAF said its contingent had landed in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026, describing it as a premier multinational air combat exercise that brings together air forces from 19 nations.
The IAF said its Rafale fighters would train alongside partner air forces to enhance interoperability, strengthen operational cooperation, sharpen operational synergy and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
“Ready. Capable. Focused,” the IAF said in its message accompanying the deployment announcement.
Exercise Pitch Black, first held in Darwin in 1983, has evolved into one of the largest military aviation exercises in the Indo-Pacific. The 2026 edition includes participation from Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the United States and host Australia.
Exercise Commander Air Commodore Matthew McCormack said the exercise remains the RAAF’s largest multinational training activity and provides an unmatched opportunity for coalition air forces to prepare for complex operational scenarios.
“Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is the Air Force’s largest, collective training activity with our partners and allies,” AIRCDRE McCormack said.
“It’s where we plan together, fight together and learn together through realistic and complex training scenarios.”
He said the 2026 edition builds on lessons from the 2024 exercise and continues to attract strong international participation because of Australia’s expansive military training airspace.
For the Indian Air Force, the deployment provides an opportunity to refine coalition warfighting skills, improve interoperability with leading global air forces and deepen defence cooperation with key Indo-Pacific partners amid a rapidly evolving regional security environment.
Team BharatShakti
