The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed four Rafale fighter aircraft, two C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and over 120 Air Warriors to Australia to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, the Royal Australian Air Force’s premier multinational air combat exercise.
The exercise will be held from 20 July to 7 August 2026 at RAAF bases in Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley in northern Australia. During the three-week exercise, the IAF will train with air forces from the Indo-Pacific and Europe, participating in complex air combat missions.
The deployment highlights the growing India–Australia defence cooperation and aims to improve interoperability, combat flying skills, operational coordination, and long-term defence partnerships.
