Operation Pitch Black: Indian Air Force joins wings with best in the world

The Indian Air Force joins aerial warriors from several countries in Australia in Operation Pitch Black to enhance regional partnerships, improve interoperability between nations and promote regional stability. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)

The Indian contingent in Australia is being led by Group Captain CUV Rao and includes a Garud Team, four SU-30 MKI, one X C-130 and a X C-17 aircrafts. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)

The IAF is looking to undertake simulated air combat exercises in a controlled environment and mutually exchange best practices towards improving operational capabilities. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)

Operation Pitch Black will be on till August 17 and is taking place at the Australian Air Force base in Darwin and Tindal. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)

The other countries participating - apart from hosts Australia - are France (New Caledonia), Singapore, Indonesia, US, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and New Zealand. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)

"Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration, utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world," reads a statement from the Australian Air Force. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IAF_MCC)