India and Malaysia Commence Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base in Malaysia on August 12, 2026

Key facts

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced bilateral Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base in Malaysia.
• Air warriors from both nations are engaged in joint field training and Subject Matter Expert exchanges during the exercise.
• The exercise focuses on operational learning, exchange of best practices and enhancing interoperability.
• Exercise Udara Shakti enables personnel from both sides to gain greater familiarity with each other's procedures, practices and approaches to air operations.
• Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is scheduled to be conducted from July 20 to August 7 at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley.
• Up to 100 jet aircraft and more than 2,500 personnel from 20 nations are expected to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026.
• India is among the participating nations in Exercise Pitch Black 2026.
• Pitch Black 2026 will feature the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-35 Lightning II and Indonesian T-50I Golden Eagle jets for the first time.