An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent today landed at Royal Australian Air Force  Base Darwin, Australia to participate in the biennial, multinational exercise Pitch Black. The exercise which focuses on night time flying will take place from 12th July to  2nd August.

The largest edition in its 43-year history, the exercise will include participation from 20 countries, over One hundred forty aircraft, and 4 thousand 4 hundred military personnel of various air forces. The IAF contingent comprises over One hundred Fifty skilled Air Warriors including pilots, engineers, technicians, and experts, who will be operating Su-30 MKI multirole fighters, along with C-17 Globemaster and IL-78 Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft  in combat enabling roles.

The exercise will be focusing on Large Force Employment warfare aimed at strengthening international cooperation and will facilitate experience enhancement with the IAF Su-30 MKI operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen and Typhoon fighter aircraft.
The IAF previously took part in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.