Darwin
Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin, as announced in an official release on Thursday. Scheduled from July 12 to August 2, Exercise Pitch Black 2024 is a biennial multinational event hosted by RAAF, focusing on nighttime flying over expansive, uninhabited regions.
This year marks the largest iteration in the exercise’s 43-year history, with 20 countries participating, deploying over 140 aircraft and involving 4,400 military personnel. The exercise aims to enhance international cooperation through Large Force Employment tactics, with IAF’s Su-30 MKI fighters joining counterparts like the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen, and Typhoon.
The IAF contingent comprises more than 150 skilled Air Warriors, including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers, and experts. They will operate Su-30 MKI multirole fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster and IL-78 Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft in combat roles.
Participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2024 offers the IAF valuable opportunities for force integration with global partners and the exchange of operational insights. It enhances the ability of participating nations to conduct integrated operations over extensive distances, bolstering aviation capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
