New Delhi: Four Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets and two C-17 heavy-lift aircraft of the Indian Air force landed in Australia for Three weeks Pitch Black Exercise.
The three-week ‘Pitch Black’ exercise, being hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is taking place amid the conflict in Ukraine and China’s military muscle-flexing in the Taiwan Strait following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
Successful execution of the first edition of the exercise is testimony to the professional capabilities, mutual understanding & shared commitment of the two Air Forces.
The IAF contingent now moves on to #RAAF Darwin, Australia for #ExPitchBlack22.#TouchTheSkyWithGlory pic.twitter.com/NfvAEdC1Yy— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 17, 2022
Over 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, the UAE, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and the UK are participating in the exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The RAAF considers the biennial exercise as its “capstone” international engagement activity with the air forces from strategic partners and allies.
“The IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, comprises over 100 air warriors, deployed with four Su-30 MKI fighter and two C-17 aircraft,” the IAF said in a statement. The last ‘Pitch Black’ was conducted in 2018. The 2020 edition of the exercise was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force. The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. The exercise aims to practice Offensive Counter Air and Defensive Counter Air combat, in a simulated war environment.
(Vinayak)
