Sukhois, C-17s, 100 Indian Air Force pilots at Australian military exercise

As part of the Indian Air Force's participation in the military drill with the Royal Australian Air Force, a contingent reached Darwin on Friday.

With the objective of commencing a joint military exercise with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)., the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent reached the Australian continent on August 19. The IAF is set to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2022, scheduled to be held from August 19 to September 8 in Darwin.

The drill is set to be a biennial, multi-national exercise hosted by the RAAF with their focus on 'Large Force Employment warfare', the Ministry of Defence stated.

Previously, the edition was conducted in 2018 while the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The scheduled exercise will see the participation of over 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from various air forces, the ministry further said.Notably, the IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, comprises over 100 air warriors, deployed with four Su-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 aircraft. The objective is set to undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and both sides would exchange their practices with the participating air forces.

Taking to Twitter, the official handle of the IAF shared, "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 Pitch Black 2022.

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