By: Gp Capt (Dr) DK Pandey (Retd)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MKI is operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen, and Typhoon fighter aircraft at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Australia. The IAF detachment has been participating in the multi-national exercise Pitch Black 2024 since 12 July 24. The exercise is planned until 02 August 24. The RAAF is hosting the drills.
The Ex-Pitch Black is part of ‘Exercise Pacific Skies 24’, which combines several Air Force exercises at different Air Force bases. Exercise Pitch Black 24 supports collaboration and mutual respect throughout the Indo-Pacific region and globally. It acknowledges the close ties among these countries and underlines the need for regional security.
The U.S. Air Force sent six F-22 Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to Tindal earlier this month.
“This will be the first time the F-22A has participated in this exercise,” a Pacific Air Forces spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine. He said that the US Air Force deployed Raptors to Tindal during the previous iteration of the exercise in 2022, but the F-22s did not participate in the drills.
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Brief History
Exercise Pitch Black, which had its inaugural edition at RAAF Base Darwin from 9 to 13 May 1983, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of air defense exercises. It featured RAAF Mirage III fighters and F-111C strike jets, with international participation from the United States Air Force (USAF).
This rich history of international cooperation and shared learning is a testament to Exercise Pitch Black’s enduring legacy.
The Exercise was the first major RAAF exercise conducted at Darwin Base after Cyclone ‘Tracy’ hit the city in 1974. Since then, Exercise Pitch Black has been conducted in the Northern Territory, with exceptions in 1986 and 2002, and has been held biennially since 1998. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ex Pitch Black is a biennial, the Air Force’s premier flying joint-operations for strengthening international engagement. It is a testament to global cooperation, focusing on large-force employment missions involving large numbers of international aircraft.
This edition of Ex Pitch Black, with an unprecedented scale of around 140 aircraft and 4,400 military personnel from various air forces, is expected to be the largest in the competition’s 43-year history, demonstrating the immense scale and impact of the operations.
This edition of the exercise is a truly international affair, with participation from 20 nations. This year’s exercise will be primarily conducted from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional aircraft operating from RAAF Base Amberley, located near Ipswich in Queensland.
Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley will be the hubs for three weeks of large-force employment missions in military airspace over the Northern Territory. Air Commodore Peter Robinson will lead Exercise Pitch Black 24 as Officer Conducting the Exercise.
“It is a tangible example of how the Air Force contributes to regional stability,” Air Commodore Robinson said. “Especially in how we engage in multilateral defense partnerships.”
Objectives
The exercise’s objectives are multifaceted, focusing on enhancing relationships and collaboration, understanding potential threats and challenges, and improving regional efficiency and security.
The exercise aims to strengthen international cooperation by fostering better relations and facilitating engagement with other nations during missions. The main objective is to establish a systematic strategy for implementing large-scale warfare tactics and strengthening collective defense capabilities.
The exercise presents a unique opportunity for participating nations to enhance their ability to deploy over long distances, facilitate coordinated operations in the Indo-Pacific region, and foster robust aviation partnerships in a challenging environment. This is a chance to learn, grow, and strengthen our collective defense.
It plays a crucial role in effectively countering ever-changing threats during the day and at night, thereby contributing to the global security capabilities of the participating nations in deploying across vast distances, supporting coordinated operations in the Indo-Pacific area, and fostering strong aviation associations in a highly demanding environment.
The exercise Pitch Black missions, characterized by their meticulous planning and seamless coordination among numerous Australian and international aircrew and support personnel, will take place across vast stretches of the Australian outback in highly regulated airspace. These missions will effectively counter ever-changing threats during the day and at night.
Indian Air Force Contingent
The IAF’s participation in the exercise is a significant opportunity to enhance its learning experiences and capabilities. Having previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 exercise editions, the IAF is sending over 150 highly skilled Air Warriors, including those from the Flying and technical streams and other domain experts, to operate the formidable multirole Su-30 MKIs.
In addition to the SU-30 MKIs, the IAF fleet includes the C-17 Globemaster and the IL-78 Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft. The exercise provides a platform for the IAF to integrate its forces with other participating nations, share and learn best practices, and build confidence and respect with other nations through engagement with NATO countries and operations.
Through engagement with NATO countries and operations, the IAF will be able to expand its capabilities and build confidence and respect with other nations.
Nations First Time in International Exercise
For the first time, aircraft from the Philippines, Italy, Papua New Guinea, and Spain, as well as teams from Brunei and Fiji, are participating in the exercise. The arrival of Philippine Air Force aircraft to Exercise Pitch Black marks the first time the Philippines deployed air assets to an international exercise outside their country.
Four FA-50PH Fighting Eagle aircraft touched down at RAAF Base Darwin on 10 July, joining the remainder of the contingent preparing for the exercise. Philippine Air Force Detachment Commander Colonel Randy Pascua was at the airport to greet the fighter jets’ arrival, marking a significant milestone for one of the vital Indo-Pacific partners.
Conclusion
Ex Pitch Black 24 provides experience for all international participating nations deploying over great distances, with some countries traveling around the globe to reach Australia. It gives the participating air forces a golden opportunity to integrate their approach to operating towards common strategic goals.
The IAF has performed exceptionally in various international exercises, demonstrating its capabilities and strengthening diplomatic relations with other countries.
Its flying capabilities are renowned, as observed in Ex—’ Red Flag’ and ‘Cope India’ with the USAAF, Ex—’ Garuda’ with the French AF, Ex-Indra Dhanush with the UK, and other multilateral exercises. The IAF’s participation in major international exercises showcases its dedication to regional and global security and its proficiency in collaborating with different air forces.
- Prof (Dr) DK Pandey, [Gp Capt (Retd)], is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Air Power Studies
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