Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest multinational air combat exercise, hosted out of Darwin since 1983. The 2026 edition runs from 20 July to 7 August across RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley, bringing together around 20 nations, up to 100 fighter and support aircraft, and over 2,500 military personnel.

The Indian Air Force has deployed a Rafale detachment to the exercise this year, backed by more than 120 personnel and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The IAF first took part in Exercise Pitch Black in 2018 and has taken part in every edition since — 2022, 2024 and now 2026.

Leading the IAF’s Rafale squadron detachment is Group Captain Arun Kumar, Commanding Officer of the IAF’s 101 ‘Falcons’ Squadron. In an exclusive conversation with The Australia Today Editor Pallavi Jain, he discusses the IAF’s Rafale deployment, the exercise’s operational objectives and the deepening defence partnership between India and Australia.

Q. How does it feel to be representing the IAF in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026

Ans. IAF has been at the forefront of participating in bi-lateral and multi-lateral engagements with partner nations countries across the world. It is an honour to represent the IAF as the Commanding Officer of the Rafale Squadron Detachment in Ex Pitch Black-26 at Australia and at Ex Udara Shakti-26 at Malaysia just prior to this. Participation in such exercises gives an opportunity to our personnel to showcase their professional acumen of undertaking operations in all types of realms, as well as enhance their tactical appreciation.

Q. What is the level of participation of the IAF in this exercise and what are the key capabilities of the aircraft?

Ans. IAF is participating with Rafales, which is an Air Superiority Fighter. The aircraft is capable of undertaking offensive and defensive missions to execute strategic and tactical operations. The key capability is its reach, firepower, manoeuvrability and effectiveness in a contested environment. In addition to the aircraft, we have approx 100 Air Warriors from the IAF who are here for various ground support activities. We also have two C 17 Hercules aircraft that ferried personnel and equipment during the induction and deinduction phase of the exercise.

Q. What is the objective of the IAF contingent to achieve in this exercise?

Ans. While the main objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability through mutual exchange of knowledge and experience with our partner nations. While doing so, we are looking forward to making establishing long-lasting friendship and building camaraderie with our partners during the three weeks that we are here. Some of the operational objectives would be: –

(a) Assess Training, Tactics and Procedures against similarly competent world class Air Forces.

(b) Establish compatibility for collaborative engagements in future.

(c) Supply support integration with partner nations.

(d) Assess the training pattern and employment philosophy in a multinational domain for all participating elements.

(e) Assess common standard operating procedures for future collaboration.

Q.  How has your experience in this exercise been, so far?

Ans. The experience so far has definitely been enriching, as we all are operating from a common platform and each is refining their Training, Tactics and Procedures vis-à-vis other participating forces. With the valuable exposure, the IAF team is geared up for seamless interoperability in a high tempo operating environment.

Q.  What insights have you gained, as far as operations in multinational partnerships are concerned?

Ans. The interactions during multinational engagements provide mutually beneficial Force Integration Training (FIT) and Large Force Engagement (LFE) experiences. These at the same time have facilitated valuable understanding of commonalities at the tactical level, along with validation of training patterns and gainful insights into integrated employment philosophy of aerial assets.

Q.  What are the different missions you will be practicing?

Ans. The focus will be on enhancing synergy, collaborative engagements and interoperability between the participating Air Forces. With these learning objectives, we will participate in many missions during night and day such as:

(a) Offensive Counter Air missions like Suppression/Degradation of Enemy Air Defences, Strike, Escort and Offensive Sweep missions.

(b) TAR Combat Air Patrol and Air Defence Missions.

(c) Functional Tactical Leaders and Mission Commander role in LFEs.

(d) In-flight refuelling practices.

(e) Basic Fighter Manoeuvres.

(f) Logistics supply chain management.

(g) Exchange sorties will also be carried out to understand each other’s machines.

Q.  Exercise Pitch Black has been happening in the past too. How has the relation between the two countries evolved?

Ans. The relations between IAF and RAAF have evolved progressively over the last decade. From participation in the Pitch Black series of exercises, to exchanges between Subject Matter Experts, all engagements have proved to be mutually beneficial over the years. IAF is looking at enhancing this partnership in line with our shared strategic outlook.

Q.  Does Australia provide a unique area/ terrain/ facilities for pilots to train in?

Ans. Similar to the Indian landscape, Australia offers a large training area, which can be exploited to practice various missions. We also look forward to the framework followed by the RAAF during their integrated operations and utilisation of Space assets towards a mutually beneficial operating experience.

Q.  How do your team members utilise their spare time while on an exercise?

Ans. Apart from achieving the training goals, the IAF team will also participate in various community engagement and cultural programmes planned as part of the exercise. We recently put up a stall in the International Day and also interacted with the Indian diaspora in Darwin over the weekend. Our Rafales flew in the flypast over Mindil Beach on 23 Jul, which was witnessed by many locals. Apart from that, our team looks forward to interacting socially with our international partners and also utilise spare time to soak in the diverse cultural experience that Northern Territory has to offer.

Q.  What are the major differences in operations while operating in India and in Australia?

Ans. The tenets of application of air power irrespective of terrain, medium or combat zones are the same. The aims and objectives remain the same, while the means may differ. We will observe the tactical semantics of Australia and other partner nations, and how they achieve their goals through different means.

Q.  How do you propose to share the lessons learnt with the rest of your squadron and other units flying the same aircraft back home?

Ans. The IAF has a methodology in place wherein the knowledge imbibed during exercises are discussed threadbare during debriefs. Post each debrief, a brainstorming session with professionals from Operations and Maintenance branches at strategic, operational, tactical and technical levels are planned. With the help of technology and local level exercises, the efficacy of the new practice is tested and if found feasible, it is incorporated into our TTPs.

Q.  What can RAAF and the other participants of Exercise Pitch Black 26 learn from IAF in general and from the IAF aircraft participating in the exercise?

Ans. The IAF is steadfast in its pursuance of reliability and contributing to its strategic regional responsibilities. Securing partnerships by participating in multilateral exercises like this are testimony to our continued faith in the concept. ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, implying the Earth is a family, is the driving force behind our intent in sharing and acquiring knowledge across countries for a collective secured future. The IAF is operating technology from friendly countries across the contingents, as well as employing indigenous technology, creating a unique, blended and efficient operating system. Thus, our way of conducting operation in an all-inclusive method from which I am sure the other participating countries will gain valuable insights. The long range air superiority aircraft, Rafale is being employed in this exercise as an effective team player and a formidable adversary to enhance the overall training value of the entire exercise.

Q. How important do you think is the bilateral relationship between Indian and Australian air forces?

Ans. Since elevation of the India – Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, bilateral defence relations have progressed at an exponential pace. The relationship between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has become increasingly important in the current Indo-Pacific security environment. It extends beyond joint exercises and reflects the broader strategic partnership between India and Australia. Key reasons why this relationship is special is because we support free and open Indo-Pacific. Air power cooperation can contribute to regional stability. For this, we need Interoperability and Operational Readiness and exercises such as Exercise Pitch Black allow aircrew, planners and support personnel to operate together in realistic, multinational scenarios.

We also gain experience by learning from each other, learn best practices and mutually enhance our ability to operate jointly. Our personnel exchange best practices in mission planning, logistics, maintenance, air traffic management, intelligence, media operations and force protection. Regular engagement builds confidence between the two air forces, enabling faster coordination during humanitarian assistance, disaster relief or regional contingencies. The Trust developed during these exercises often translate into smoother cooperation during real-world operations.

Q. What has been your experience of Australia personally speaking?

Ans. Flying the Rafale at Exercise Pitch Black has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every sortie is an opportunity to learn. You’re sharing the skies with some of the world’s finest air forces, each bringing its own tactics, procedures and perspectives. What stands out is the professionalism. Despite coming from different countries and operating different aircraft, everyone shares the same objective—to learn from one another and become better aviators. The planning is intensive, the missions are complex, and the debriefs are where some of the biggest lessons emerge. As an Indian pilot, it is also a matter of pride to represent the Indian Air Force. Also beyond flying, interacting with fellow aircrew from across the world has been equally enriching. You realise that while our uniforms may be different, our passion for flying and commitment to the mission are exactly the same. Those professional relationships are what make an exercise like Pitch Black truly special.

Q.  Can you tell us about Exercise Tarang Shakti which will also see participation from Australian Air Force?

Ans. Exercise Tarang Shakti is one of the largest air exercises in the Indian Ocean Region. Tarang Shakti 2024, which was the first edition of the exercise saw participation of 30 partner nations. The second edition of the exercise is scheduled from 28 Sep to 11 Oct at Air Force Station Jodhpur. As on date, more than 40 partner nations have confirmed their participation. The Exercise will bring together air forces from partner nations to strengthen interoperability, mutual understanding and forging strategic partnerships. As with our other partner nations, the participation of Royal Australian Air Force underscores the growing defence relationship between India and Australia.

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