IAF Rafales At Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026: Multinational Air Combat Drill Starts Tomorrow

Published 19 July 2026 · india

IAF Rafales At Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026: Multinational Air Combat Drill Starts Tomorrow Reported By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:45 IST Running from

IAF Rafales At Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026: Multinational Air Combat Drill Starts Tomorrow Reported By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:45 IST Running from July 20 to August 7, the 45-year-old biennial drill focuses heavily on night flying and large-scale multinational air combat over northern Australia Rapid Read The Indian contingent is operating Rafale multirole fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster transport jets and IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft. (News18) The Indian Air Force will begin its participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 tomorrow at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin. Running from July 20 to August 7, the 45-year-old biennial drill focuses heavily on night flying and large-scale multinational air combat over northern Australia. The Indian contingent is operating Rafale multirole fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster transport jets and IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft. The deployment allows Indian pilots, engineers, and technicians to test expeditionary operations over long distances and improve tactical integration with partner nations.

This mission builds on India’s past participation in 2018, 2022, and 2024, reinforcing military interoperability and defence ties across the Indo-Pacific. During the three-week exercise, Indian pilots will train with and against fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters. The interaction will provide the IAF a critical opportunity to test the combat capabilities of its Rafale jets against advanced stealth platforms in simulated threat scenarios. Exercise Pitch Black 2026 brings together nearly 100 aircraft and more than 2,500 military personnel from 20 countries. The current edition also marks the Pitch Black debut of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, which has deployed its own F-35 Lightning II fighters to the drills. ABOUT IAF RAFALES The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a fleet of 36 French-designed Dassault Rafale omnirole fighter jets. The IAF’s Rafale fleet is highly advanced and combat-proven. They are twin-engine, canard delta wing multirole fighters capable of performing air supremacy, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions.

Equipped with cutting-edge missiles including the beyond-visual-range Meteor missile and the SCALP cruise missile. The aircraft are primarily stationed at Ambala Air Force Station (Golden Arrows squadron) and Hasimara Air Station. India is rapidly expanding its Rafale footprint. A deal worth roughly ₹63,000 crores was signed for 26 Rafale Marine jets to be operated from aircraft carriers. The Ministry of Defence initiated the procurement process for an additional 114 Rafale fighter jets in a mega-deal estimated to be worth ₹3.25 lakh crore. This program includes importing 22 jets directly from France while manufacturing the remaining 92 in India. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What new capabilities will IAF Rafales gain from this exercise? The Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale jets will test their combat capabilities against advanced stealth platforms in simulated threat scenarios during Exercise Pitch Black 2026.