IAF to participate in ‘Exercise Pitch Black’ in Australia

• The Indian Air Force will participate in ‘Exercise Pitch Black’ which will take place from July 20 to August 6 in RAAF Base Darwin, Australia.

• Exercise Pitch Black 26 will bring together 19 nations and up to 100 aircraft in one of the world’s most complex and demanding air combat training events.

• Multiple Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force will take part in the exercise.

• Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) most significant flying activity for strengthening international engagement and enhancing ability to work with overseas partners.

• It was first held from RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales in June 1981 as a three-day air defence exercise.

• Held every two years, the exercise focuses on large force employment missions involving large numbers of international aircraft.

• This year’s exercise will be conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional aircraft operating from RAAF Base Amberley, located near Ipswich in Queensland.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)