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The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a major multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Australia's Northern Territory.

About Exercise Pitch Black

Exercise Pitch Black is the largest multinational air combat exercise conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Held biennially, it brings together air forces from across the Indo-Pacific and other partner nations to undertake realistic, high-intensity air warfare training in a complex operational environment.

The 2026 edition is scheduled from 20 July to 7 August 2026 in Australia's Northern Territory.

Objectives

The exercise aims to:

• Enhance operational interoperability among participating air forces.
• Strengthen military cooperation and coordination.
• Improve capabilities in high-intensity air combat operations.
• Promote the exchange of best practices, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

Key Features

Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will involve:

• More than 100 aircraft and thousands of military personnel.
• Advanced air combat tactics, mission planning, and integrated operational training.
• Realistic scenarios involving offensive and defensive air operations, multinational coordination, and complex mission execution.

The exercise will witness participation from over 19 countries, including India, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, and several other Indo-Pacific partners.

India–Australia Defence Exercises