The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, the Royal Australian Air Force's premier biennial multinational air combat exercise held at RAAF Base Darwin from July 20 to August 7, 2026. This marks the 45th edition of the exercise, which is characterized by its emphasis on night flying operations over northern Australia's unpopulated areas and features the largest quantum of participating forces in its history.
The IAF contingent comprises highly skilled personnel including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers, and subject matter experts. The force is operating Rafale multirole fighter aircraft supported by C-17 Globemaster-III and IL-78 Air-to-Air Refueling aircraft in combat support roles. The exercise provides valuable opportunity for participating forces to enhance interoperability, strengthen force integration, and exchange operational best practices for collaborative operations in global scenarios.
Exercise Pitch Black 26 enables validation of expeditionary air operations over extended distances and enhances multinational interoperability across the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise creates a realistic and challenging multinational environment that fosters greater operational synergy and mutual understanding among participating air forces. This represents the IAF's fourth participation in the exercise, having previously taken part in the 2018, 2022, and 2024 editions, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and regional security.