New Delhi: An Indian Air Force Dassault Rafale DH twin-seat combat aircraft has been refuelled by a Royal Australian Air Force Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Pitch Black 2026, Janes reported.
This makes it the first time that Indian Rafales have received fuel from an Australian tanker, a milestone confirmed by the RAAF.
The aerial refuelling took place in the second week of the exercise, which began on July 20. The KC-30A operated from RAAF Base Darwin and successfully refuelled a total of 14 fighter aircraft from partner nations during a five-hour sortie over the Northern Territory.
Flight Lieutenant Sara Whitehead, captain of the KC-30A, stated that the first aircraft to connect with the tanker were two Indian Rafales. The fuel transfers were completed using wing-mounted hose-and-drogue systems before the fighters returned to their missions.
Photographs and video footage released by the Australian Department of Defence and the RAAF show both a single-seat Rafale EH and a twin-seat Rafale DH receiving fuel mid-air. The imagery highlights the seamless integration of Indian aircraft into multinational aerial operations.
The Indian Air Force has deployed at least four Rafales to RAAF Base Darwin for Pitch Black 2026. Alongside these fighters, the contingent includes two Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, one Illyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refuelling aircraft, and approximately 120 personnel.
Janes has identified the serial numbers of the Rafale DH variants as RB-204 and RB-206, while the Rafale EH aircraft carry the serial numbers BS-007 and BS-025. This deployment underscores India’s growing operational footprint in multinational exercises.
The mission also involved aircraft from Germany and South Korea, demonstrating the multinational scope of Pitch Black 2026. The exercise continues to serve as one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest and most complex air combat training programmes, enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence ties among participating nations.
The successful refuelling of Indian Rafales by an Australian KC-30A represents a significant step in Indo-Australian defence cooperation. It highlights the ability of both air forces to integrate seamlessly in complex aerial operations and reinforces their shared commitment to regional security.
