New Delhi : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully wrapped up its participation in two important international air exercises—Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia—highlighting India’s growing operational engagement and defence cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
During Exercise Pitch Black 2026, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the IAF deployed its frontline Rafale fighter aircraft and trained alongside air forces representing more than 20 participating nations. The exercise involved complex Large Force Employment (LFE) missions conducted in a demanding, high-threat and multi-domain operational environment.
The participation provided an opportunity for the IAF and partner air forces to improve tactical coordination, exchange operational expertise and strengthen interoperability during large-scale multinational air operations.
After completing the Australian exercise, the IAF contingent moved directly to Subang, Malaysia, to participate in Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
During the bilateral exercise, aircrew from both countries carried out intensive combat missions and tactical manoeuvres. The participating forces operated with and against aircraft including Malaysia’s Su-30MKM and F/A-18 Hornets, allowing the crews to test and refine their air combat procedures under diverse operational scenarios.
The exercise also featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), discussions on mission planning and opportunities to enhance combined operational flexibility. Cooperation extended to maintenance practices and professional interactions among personnel, contributing to stronger working relationships between the participating forces.
Through these back-to-back international deployments, the IAF demonstrated its ability to operate across distant locations while engaging effectively with multiple partner nations. The exercises also reaffirmed the Air Force’s continued focus on improving interoperability, strengthening defence partnerships and contributing to cooperative security and stability in the wider Indo-Pacific region.