CANBERRA, July 22/Indian Abroad Newsdesk
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met members of the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent during the opening ceremony of Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Darwin, highlighting the growing defence partnership between Australia and India.
The Indian contingent, comprising four Rafale fighter aircraft and around 100 Air Warriors, is participating in the multinational air combat exercise alongside personnel from 20 other countries. Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, Exercise Pitch Black is the largest international air combat exercise in the Southern Hemisphere.
The interaction with the Prime Minister underscored the strengthening defence and strategic ties between Australia and India, with the exercise providing an important platform for enhancing interoperability, operational readiness and professional exchanges among participating air forces.
During the exercise, the Indian Air Force personnel are undertaking advanced air combat training and participating in complex multinational missions designed to improve coordination and strengthen cooperation with partner nations.
India’s participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 reflects the expanding defence cooperation between Australia and India under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and their shared commitment to promoting security, stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
