‘Pitch Black' 2026: Australian KC-30A refuels Indian Rafales for first time

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Dassault Rafale DH twin-seat combat aircraft is refuelled by an Australian Airbus KC-30A MRTT during Exercise ‘Pitch Black' 2026 in July 2026. (Commonwealth of Australia)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) participating in Exercise ‘Pitch Black' 2026 has refuelled Indian Air Force (IAF) Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft for the first time, a RAAF official has confirmed.

The refuelling was conducted during the second week of the exercise, which began on 20 July, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said.

According to the DoD, the KC-30A, operating from RAAF Base Darwin, refuelled a total of 14 fighter aircraft from partner countries during a five-hour sortie over Australia's Northern Territory.

The mission brought together aircraft from Australia, Germany, India, and South Korea, said KC-30A captain Flight Lieutenant Sara Whitehead.

“The first to visit the aerial bowser were two IAF Rafales, completing fuel transfers by wing-mounted hose-and-drogue before returning to their missions,” she said.

Photographs and video footage released by the DoD and the RAAF show a single-seat Rafale EH and a twin-seat Rafale DH receiving fuel from the tanker.

Janes has reached out to the DoD for additional details.

Indian contingent

The IAF has deployed at least four Rafales to RAAF Base Darwin for ‘Pitch Black' 2026, along with two Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, one Illyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refuelling aircraft, and an estimated 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.