India in Australia for back-to-back military exercises for large scale use of force in Indo-Pacific

Close on the heels of Indian Air Force (IAF) participation in the high-profile multilateral air combat exercise Pitch Black at Darwin in Australia, a frontline Indian Naval warship INS Satpura steamed into Darwin for another multinational exercise Kakadu by the Australians to rehearse large force employment warfare in the Indo-Pacific Region. Fourteen leading navies are participating in the exercise.

The Indian stealth frigate’s participation will be bolstered by the presence of an Indian Navy P8I Long Range Martime Reconnaissance Aircraft. Both platforms reached Darwin on September 12 for participation in Exercise Kakadu – 2022 being organized by the Royal Australian Navy.  

The two-week exercise involves harbour and sea phases. During the harbour phase of the exercise, participating crews will engage in operational planning interactions and sports activities. 

In the recently concluded air combat exercise Pitch Black, the IAF fielded four frontline Sukhoi-30MKI fighters and two C-17 Globemaster strategic airlifters. These were pitched in war drills in a field of over 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from the participating air forces. 

Exercise Pitch Black, held from August 19 to September 8, focussed on large scale employment of military force. 

The IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, comprised over 100 air warriors. They undertook “multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and exchanged best practices with the participating air forces”, the IAF stated. 

Along with the US, Australia is the common factor between the Quad and AUKUS, which aim at forging a potent security architecture in the Indo-Pacific Region. 

Vishal Thapar

BW Reporters Group Editorial Head for BW’s Defence, Security & Police