4 Rafales make ‘Pitch Black’ debut as India deepens defence ties with Australia

down at Australia airbase for Exercise Pitch Black — 2026. The premier biennial multinational air combat exercise brings together Air Forces of 19 nations.
About a 100 aircraft and over 2,500 personnel are participating in the drill being held from July 20 to August 7. It provides a unique platform to enhance interoperability and strengthen operational cooperation, besides exemplifying the deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Canberra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Australia in July, where he had announced strategic agreements covering nuclear energy and defence.
“Flying tNew Delhi (TIP): In the morning of July 17 four Indian Air Force Rafale fighter aircraft touched he formidable Rafale, the IAF will train alongside friendly Air Forces. The exercise will sharpen operational synergy and facilitate the exchange of best practices,” the IAF said on Friday. The exercise focuses on advanced air combat tactics, integrated mission planning and practices offensive and defensive aerial manoeuvres in a simulated war environment under different operational scenarios.
Supported by the IL-78 midair refuellers and accompanied by two C-17 strategic heavylifters and 120 personnel, the fighters flew south-eastwards across the Indian Ocean and the Timor Sea to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base at Darwin on the northern coast in the province of Northern Territory. It is one of Australis’s main forward mounting bases, which shares the runway with Darwin International Airport.
This is for the first time that Rafales are participating in the biennial exercise, in which the IAF has been participating in 2018. In earlier editions of the drill, the IAF had fielded Su-30 MKI fighters, along with C-17 and C-130 aircraft. Besides the Rafales, other fighters from different countries participating in the drill include the US F-35 Lightning, F/A-18 Super Hornet, EF-2000 Typhoon and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In addition, special mission and support aircraft include the EA-18G Growler, E-7A Wedgetail, C-130J Super Hercules and KC-135.
“Over the next three weeks, our Air Warriors will fly alongside counterparts from participating nations towards enhancing interoperability, sharpening combat flying skills, strengthening relationships and building ever lasting bonds,” the Indian High Commission in Canberra posted on its X handle.
The first Pitch Black exercise was held in 1981, which was an internal RAAF event. International participation began in 1983 with the USA, followed by Singapore in 1990, which several countries joining further down the course.