After a three-year gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Air Force (IAF) is on its way to participate in the exercise ‘Pitch Black’ that will take place in Australia from 19 August – 8 September 2022.
About 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 nations will take part in this two-week-long exercise in the Northern Territory. Earlier, Australia’s Department of Defence said in a statement:
“This exercise is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) most significant International Engagement activity, with forces participating from a wide range of partner and allied nations, with the aim of developing and enhancing military relationships at all levels.”
Exercise Pitch Black, which includes day and night flying, is a biennial multi-national large force employment exercise that this year will be conducted from RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal, and RAAF Base Amberley.
Royal Australian Air Force tweeted: “100 aircraft from up to 15 nations from around the globe participating” in 2022 Pitch Black.
Along with Australia and India, other participants this year are Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, the U.K., and the U.S.
IAF is again excited to participate in and continue the series of military exercises with countries in the Indo-Pacific. IAF contingent for the 2018 exercise consisted of 145 personnel, four Su-30MKI fighters, one C-130, and one C-17 transport aircraft.
IAF hosted a contingent of the French Air & Space Force which was on their way to Pitch Black 2022.
Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Darren Goldie said in a statement that exercises such as Pitch Black are important in strengthening our regional partnerships. He added:
“Exercises such as Pitch Black provide important training opportunities in a multi-nation coalition environment and are important for ensuring Air Force remains ready to respond, whenever the Australian Government requires.”
Through Exercise Pitch Black the RAAF will demonstrate Air Force’s commitment to building professionalism and enhancing military relationships for the safe and effective conduct of air operations with regional and partner nations.
Australia and India support a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed have also signed a deal, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support.
The 2020 edition of the exercise was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Navy was part of the ‘Malabar Naval Exercise’ hosted by India in 2020 and 2021.