All you need to know about largest edition of Exercise Pitch Black that kick-started in Australia

New Delhi: Australia is organising the largest edition of its biennial Exercise Pitch Black. This strategic Exercise which has wider geopolitical message in the Indian Ocean Region Kickstarted today on 12 July and will continue till 2 August.

A total of 20 countries are participating in the Exercise with over 140 aircraft and 4,400 military personnel of various air forces.

Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent is also participating in this Exercise with 150-strong IAF contingent comprising pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers and other subject matter experts.

The Indian aircraft that will participate in the exercise include the Su-30 MKI multirole fighters, the C-17 Globemaster and the IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft in combat enabling roles.

The multinational exercise hosted is by the RAAF. The name “Pitch Black” was derived from the emphasis on night-time flying over large unpopulated areas.

The exercise initially began as unilateral, but in 1983 became a joint Australia-US training event. Apart from Australia and India, countries that are regular participants include France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Other countries such as Brunei, Canada, Fiji and New Zealand have a few personnel participating in the exercise. Countries participating for the first time include Papua New Guinea, Italy, Spain and the Philippines.

Indian Air Force has said, “The exercise, which will be focusing on ‘Large Force Employment’ warfare is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and shall facilitate experience enhancement with the IAF Su-30 MKI operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen and Typhoon fighter aircraft.”

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