Exercise Pitch Black 2024:
Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.
- This edition is slated to be the largest in the 43 year long history of Ex Pitch Black, which includes participation by 20 countries, with over 140 aircraft and 4400 military personnel of various air forces.
- Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
- The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in a simulated war environment.
- The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated areas.
- The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for strengthening the ability of the participating nations to deploy over large distances, support integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region and building strong aviation associations in a highly challenging environment.
- The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.
