Multinational Exercise Pitch Black

Context

The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent had reached Australia to participate in a biennial air warfare drill, Exercise Pitch Black, which will see 17 countries focusing on advancing their air-to-air refuelling capabilities.

About 

• The IAF contingent comprises over 100 air warriors, deployed with four Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft. 
• Exercise Pitch Black 2022–the multinational exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• The first Pitch Black exercise took place on June 15-16 1981 between the RAAF units
• The aim of this exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat. 
• The IAF first participated in the exercise with its assets in 2018 and prior to that the participation was as an observer. 
• Pitch Black is a large force-employment exercise driven by fighter combat scenarios.
• This year, significant efforts have been made to advance the air-to-air refuelling capability between many of the participating nations.
• Air-to-air refuelling is a force multiplier, providing essential reach to our combat aircraft. 
• The exercise includes both day and night operations.
• The Exercise Pitch Black “marked an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and to promote regional stability”.

Australia India Defence Relationship

• Australia and India have an active positive defence relationship, underpinned by the 2006 Memorandum on Defence Cooperation and the 2009 Joint Declaration on the Security Cooperation.
• The Australia–India defence relationship now encompasses almost every major function of exchange of strategic military dialogues, coordination, and information exchanges; military exercises involving ground, air, and maritime forces.
• Strategic Dialogue: In June 2020, Australia and India decided to upgrade their Secretaries 2+2 dialogue (Defence and Foreign Affairs) to the Ministerial level. 
• AUSINDEX: Australia and India are committed to working together to enhance maritime cooperation and have had AUSINDEX since 2015.
• Shared Military Platform: India and Australia both border the Indian Ocean and have a shared interest in the maintenance of freedom of navigation and trade.
• Australia recognizes India’s critical role in supporting the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.
• IFC-IOR: The Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram is an Indian initiative to boost maritime security and response through the exchange of information related to the ships in the Indian Ocean Region. 
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation: A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in September 2014 and came into force in November 2015. 
• The deal ensures that Uranium mining companies in Australia can supply uranium to India for civil use.