IAF to participate in multilateral exercise ‘Pitch Black’ in Australia

Tags: Defence International News

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will join 16 other countries, including the Quad partner countries, for the biennial Exercise Pitch Black to be conducted by the Australian Air Force later this month.

Important facts

• About 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries will reach the northern region later this month for the Pitch Black 2022 exercise.

• This year's Pitch Black participants include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK and US.

• The 2020 edition of this exercise was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Exercise Pitch Black

• It is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

• It enhances interoperability and strengthens relationships among participants.

• This will provide the Indian Air Force with a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with these countries in a dynamic combat environment.

• Its last edition was held in 2018.

• Its aim is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat in a simulated war environment.

Other exercise between India and Australia

• AUSINDEX - It is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

• The first edition of the exercise was held in 2015.