Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent on Tuesday landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Darwin to participate in Pitch Black exercise, scheduled to take place from July 27 to August 17.This is the maiden participation by the IAF in Pitch Black exercise.
"Indian Air Force C-17 had landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Darwin this morning to participate in Pitch Black - the largest Air Force exercise in the Southern Hemisphere," said Canbera-based Indian High Commission in a series of tweets.
The exercise will be conducted from RAAF bases in Darwin and Tindal in Australia’s Northern Territory.
In a statement, the IAF had said that the exercise will provide a "unique opportunity for exchange of knowledge and experience with these nations in a dynamic warfare environment."
The IAF contingent consists of 145 personnel, including four Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, an Ilyushin tanker, a C-130, a C-17, and a number of special forces. The contingent will undertake simulated air combat exercises in a controlled environment.
During the flight from India to Australia, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs were refuelled by the IL-78 tanker. On the return journey, however, the Russian-made fighters will be refuelled in-air by a RAAF KC-30A for the first time, it added.
The contingent will also engaged with Indonesian and Malaysian Air Forces on the way over.
The exercise involves over 100 aircraft from Australia, the US, India, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Netherlands, NZ, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
