India’s Rafale fighter jets and C-17 transport aircraft have arrived in Australia to participate in the Roy­al Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier multina­tional air combat exercise, Pitch Black 2026, marking another step in expand­ing defence cooperation between the two countries.

Announcing the arrival of the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, the High Commission of India in Canberra said in a post on X, “The High Commission of India is proud to wel­come the Indian Air Force contingent of four Rafale and two C17 aircraft along with over 120 Air Warriors to Darwin to participate in Royal Australian Air Force’s premier air combat exercise Pitch Black 2026.”

The diplomatic mission added that the deployment reflects India’s commit­ment to strengthening military partnerships and enhancing operational co­ordination with friendly nations.

“Over the next three weeks, our Air Warriors will fly alongside counter­parts from participating nations towards enhanc­ing