IL-78 refueller

IAF Pitch Black 2026 Contingent Opens Flying at Darwin With the Rafale

The Indian Air Force begins flying at Exercise Pitch Black 2026 from RAAF Base Darwin on 20 July, with Rafale fighters backed by a C-17 Globemaster III and an IL-78 tanker. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the contingent a day before the exercise, which runs to 7 August, the first time the IAF has taken the Rafale to Darwin.