Exercise Pitch Black (Space & Defence Sectors)
Exercise Pitch Black (Space & Defence Sectors)
Why In News:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a large multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
The exercise will include over 19 nations, such as India, Australia, USA, UK, Japan, France, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, and other Indo-Pacific partners.
Source: PIB Today, 19 July 2026 - 'Indian Air Force Exercise Pitch Black 2026'
About Exercise Pitch Black
Pitch Black is a biennial multinational exercise conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF), typically based out of Darwin and Tindal in Australia's Northern Territory.
The exercise focuses on high end air combat training, interoperability between air forces, and joint operational planning in a simulated multinational conflict environment.
Key Facts for Prelims
Exercise Garuda is a bilateral air exercise between India and France.
Exercise Cope India is a bilateral air exercise between India and the United States.
Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France, while Exercise Malabar is a naval exercise involving India, the US, Japan and Australia.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas is a bilateral army exercise between India and the United States.
Exercise Shakti is a bilateral army exercise between India and France.
Exercise Indra is a bilateral military exercise (army, navy, and air force) between India and Russia.
Exercise Hand-in-Hand is a bilateral army exercise between India and China.