MockSutraCurrent Affairs

IAF Rafale contingent reaches Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026

18 July 2026National

On 17 July 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent arrived in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026, with four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and over 120 Air Warriors — the first time IAF Rafales join the drill. The exercise runs 20 July-7 August 2026 across RAAF bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley. One of the Indo-Pacific's largest air-combat exercises, it involves up to 100 aircraft and 2,500+ personnel from around 20 nations, aiming to enhance interoperability and combat skills.

Static GK

Pitch Black is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), held biennially | Rafale maker: France's Dassault Aviation | C-17 Globemaster III built by Boeing | Australia capital: Canberra

⚡ Quick Revision

The IAF sent four Rafale jets and two C-17s to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026 (20 Jul-7 Aug), a multinational air-combat drill of ~20 nations.

ShareWhatsAppTelegram

More International Current Affairs

IWDMMA 2026 Rankings: Indian Air Force Retains 3rd Spot GloballyThe <b>World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA)</b> Global Air Power Rankings 2026 ranked the <b>Indian Air Force (IAF)</b> as the <b>3rd-most powerful air force</b> globally, behind only the United States and Russia, staying ahead of China's PLAAF for the <b>5th consecutive year</b>. When all air arms (Army, Navy, Air Force) are considered together, the IAF ranks 6th overall with a True Value Rating (TVR) of <b>69.4</b>; the US Air Force tops with a TVR of <b>242.9</b> (5,004 aircraft). The assessment evaluated 129 air services across 103 countries. Pakistan's air force ranked 18th and Bangladesh 83rd.16 Jul 2026IIndian Navy Commissions Stealth Frigate INS Mahendragiri into Eastern FleetThe Indian Navy commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth and final Nilgiri-class (Project-17A) frigate, into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presiding. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, it bears the motto "Mighty, Majestic, Matchless". Sister ships: Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri.14 Jul 2026Indian Navy Commissions INS Mahendragiri, Sixth Project 17A Stealth Frigate, at VisakhapatnamThe Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahendragiri (F38) on 11 July 2026 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. It is the sixth of the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) indigenous stealth guided-missile frigates, designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, with over 75% indigenous content. Named after the Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats, it carries BrahMos and Barak-8 missiles and joins the Eastern Fleet. Its motto is 'Sthitpragyah, Raneshu, Aprajitah' (steadfast, wise, invincible in battle). Project 17A frigates are all named after Indian mountain ranges.11 Jul 2026INetra AEW&C Gets Final Operational ClearanceDRDO handed over the Final Operational Clearance for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system in Bengaluru, making India the fifth country with indigenous AEW&C capability.25 Jun 2026
See all International →All Current Affairs