The Indian Air Force has wrapped up its participation in two major international military exercises conducted in Australia and Malaysia during 2026. The Ministry of Defence announced the completion of Exercise Pitch Black 2026 and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026, marking significant engagements that brought together the IAF with air forces from multiple countries across the Indo-Pacific region.
What happened in each exercise
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 took place in Australia under the Royal Australian Air Force. The IAF deployed its Rafale fighter jets to train alongside air forces from over 20 nations. The exercise focused on Large Force Employment missions, which are complex combat scenarios involving multiple aircraft operating in hostile, multi-domain settings. This allowed participating air forces to practise coordinated tactics and improve their ability to work together in wartime conditions.
After completing operations in Australia, IAF personnel moved to Subang in Malaysia for Exercise Udara Shakti 2026. Here, Indian pilots flew intensive combat sorties alongside the Royal Malaysian Air Force. They trained with and against Malaysian Su-30MKM and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The bilateral exercise emphasised air combat techniques, exchange of knowledge between experts, and developing joint operational capabilities.
Both exercises involved more than just flying. The IAF and partner nations also shared practices on aircraft maintenance, mission planning methods, and conducted cultural exchanges among their personnel. This broader interaction was intended to build stronger professional relationships across the participating air forces.
What this means for you
These exercises demonstrate India’s growing military engagement and cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. For citizens and defence policy watchers, they signal the IAF’s commitment to staying current with modern air combat tactics and building alliances with neighbouring and friendly nations. The participation reflects India’s strategic interests in maintaining stability and capability across a geographically important region. Such training interactions help the IAF remain operationally ready and strengthen India’s diplomatic and defence relationships with partners like Australia and Malaysia.