An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin in Australia to take part in the largest biennial Exercise Pitch Black edition. The exercise, which will run from 12 July to 2 August, is a massive international event involving 20 countries, over 140 aircraft, and 4,400 military personnel from various air forces. Hosted by the RAAF, the multinational exercise emphasises night-time flying over large, unpopulated areas.
The exercise, which will focus on ‘Large Force Employment’ warfare, is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and shall facilitate experience enhancement with the IAF Su-30 MKI operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen, and Typhoon fighter aircraft, the IAF said on Thursday.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent consists of 150 members, including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers, and other subject matter experts. The Indian aircraft participating in the exercise are the Su-30 MKI multirole fighters, the C-17 Globemaster, and the IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft, which will perform combat-enabling roles.
According to the IAF’s press statement, one of the exercise’s advantages is that it provides an “excellent” opportunity to strengthen the participating nations’ ability to deploy over large distances, support integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region, and build strong aviation associations in a highly challenging environment. The IAF has previously taken part in this exercise’s 2018 and 2022 editions.
The exercise initially began as a unilateral event, but in 1983, it became a joint training event between Australia and the United States. Apart from Australia and India, regular participants include France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, countries such as Brunei, Canada, Fiji, and New Zealand have a few personnel participating in the exercise. Furthermore, Papua New Guinea, Italy, Spain, and the Philippines are participating for the first time.
Team BharatShakti
