Why in News?
Indian Air Force (IAF) has concluded its participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia. Both of these exercises provided an opportunity to the IAF to enhance its operational coordination and interoperability with other air forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026
- An international multinational exercise Pitch Black 2026 was hosted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- Over 20+ nations’ air forces participated in this exercise which saw the IAF’s Rafale aircraft showcasing its capabilities.
- The theme of the exercise was to conduct Large Force Employment (LFE) in a realistic, complex and highly competitive environment to develop and test operational concepts and procedures for large-scale air campaigns.
- The participating nations’ air forces could practice and demonstrate their ability to organize and conduct major air operations in a challenging environment to foster coordination, airpower and operational experience-sharing.
Exercise Udara Shakti 2026
- Following the conclusion of the participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, the IAF contingent undertook another bilateral training exercise, Udara Shakti 2026 in Subang, Malaysia.
- During the exercise, the IAF conducted combat missions and tactical training with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
- The exercise allowed the two air forces to practice and develop their skills in a realistic environment while operating their respective Su-30MKM and F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft.