IAF concludes Exercise Pitch Black in Australia and Udara Shakti in Malaysia
The Indian Air Force announced on 22 August 2026 that it had concluded Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia.
Summary
The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced on 22 August 2026 that it had concluded its participation in two international air exercises: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia. At Pitch Black, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, the IAF flew its Rafale fighters alongside air forces from more than 20 nations in Large Force Employment missions. The contingent then moved directly to Subang, Malaysia, for the bilateral Udara Shakti exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, flying with and against Su-30MKM and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. Both deployments also covered maintenance practices, mission planning exchanges and subject matter expert exchanges.
Key facts
- Announced
- 22 Aug 2026
- Pitch Black 2026
- Hosted by Royal Australian Air Force; 20+ nations
- IAF aircraft
- Rafale
- Udara Shakti 2026
- Bilateral with Royal Malaysian Air Force, Subang
- RMAF aircraft
- Su-30MKM, F/A-18 Hornet
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Exercise Pitch Black 2026, in which the IAF took part, was hosted by the air force of which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Australia
Pitch Black 2026 was hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, with air forces from more than 20 nations.
Where was Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 held?
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Correct answer: C — Subang, Malaysia
After Pitch Black, the IAF contingent moved directly to Subang, Malaysia, for Udara Shakti 2026 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Consider the following statements about the IAF's August 2026 deployments: 1. The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighters to Exercise Pitch Black 2026. 2. Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was a trilateral exercise with Australia and Malaysia. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The IAF deployed Rafale aircraft to Pitch Black, and Udara Shakti was a bilateral exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.