IAF Rafales Refuel from Indonesia En Route to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026

Jakarta, July 2026 : India and Indonesia took another significant step in strengthening their growing defence partnership on Friday as an Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft operated from Indonesia’s Juanda Airport in Surabaya to support IAF Rafale fighter jets flying to Australia for the multinational Exercise Pitch Black 2026.

The IL-78 tanker carried out aerial refuelling of the Rafale fighters while they transited Indonesian airspace en route to Darwin, where they will participate in the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier multinational air combat exercise.

Sharing details of the operation, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta said the mission highlighted the deepening strategic cooperation between India and Indonesia.

“Strengthening India-Indonesia partnerships, an IL-78 Air-to-Air Refueller of the Indian Air Force operated from Juanda Airport, Surabaya, to carry out mid-air refuelling of IAF Rafale aircraft transiting Indonesian airspace to participate in Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin, Australia,” the Embassy posted on social media platform X.

The Embassy also expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for facilitating the operation.

“Embassy and Air Warriors of India thank and appreciate the assistance and opportunity extended by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in allowing Indian military platforms to operate from Indonesia,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, India’s contingent for Exercise Pitch Black 2026 reached Australia on Friday, with four Rafale fighter aircraft, two C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft and more than 120 Indian Air Force personnel arriving in Darwin for the prestigious multinational exercise.

Welcoming the contingent, the High Commission of India in Canberra said the deployment reflects India’s continued commitment to expanding defence cooperation and operational coordination with friendly countries across the Indo-Pacific.

“The High Commission of India is proud to welcome the Indian Air Force contingent of four Rafale and two C-17 aircraft, along with over 120 Air Warriors, to Darwin to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force’s premier air combat exercise, Pitch Black 2026,” the mission said.

Over the next three weeks, Indian pilots and personnel will train alongside air forces from several partner nations, participating in complex combat scenarios aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving operational readiness and strengthening military-to-military ties.

The latest collaboration comes amid rapidly expanding defence relations between India and Indonesia. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft received a ceremonial escort from Indonesian Air Force fighter jets while entering and departing Indonesian airspace during his visit to Jakarta.

The two countries also elevated defence cooperation by signing an agreement for the export of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Indonesia. Jakarta is also expected to procure India’s indigenously developed Astra air-to-air missiles, while discussions are underway for the supply of additional BrahMos missile batteries.

The growing defence engagement reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing regional security, promoting defence industrial cooperation and maintaining stability across the Indo-Pacific through closer strategic and military collaboration.

Team Maverick.