Pitch Black 2026 Down Under

[ravenclaw_007]

Exercise Pitch Black returns to the Top End from 20 July to 7 August, creating an opportunity for over 100 aircraft and personnel from 21 allied and partner nations to exercise together, and strengthen regional and global interoperability.

This is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest international exercise featuring complex, combat-like scenarios across one of the largest military training areas in the world over a three-week period.

Alongside the exercise the Northern Territory community will once again have the opportunity to see participating aircraft in the air and on the ground, and meet military personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States

These opportunities will be at the two free community events, starting with the Mindil Beach Flying Display on Thursday 23 July, followed by the RAAF Darwin Open Day on Saturday 1 August.

Exercise Pitch Black 26 will bring together 21 nations and up to 100 aircraft in one of the world's most complex and demanding air combat training events.

The exercise will showcase some of the most advanced air power capabilities on the globe, with highly skilled aircrew, ground personnel and support teams operating in a challenging and realistic training environment.

Beyond frontline fighter operations, Pitch Black 26 will feature a broad range of critical air power capabilities, including air-to-air refuelling, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strategic and tactical airlift operations. Together, these capabilities will create a highly integrated, multinational training environment designed to strengthen interoperability, enhance combat readiness and build enduring international partnerships.

Exercise Pitch Black 26 is expected to include participation from the following nations and aircraft:

CountryParticipant

RAAF Base Darwin

Australia =  EA-18G Growler / F-35A Lightning II / F/A-18F Super Hornet / E-7A Wedgetail / C-130J-30 Hercules / C-27J Spartan

Royal Canadian Air ForceEmbedded personnel

French Air and Space Force =  CN-235

Republic of Fiji Military ForcesEmbedded personnel

German Air Force =  EF2000 Typhoon

Indian Air Force =  Rafale

Indonesian Air Force =  T-50I

Japan Air Self-Defense Force =   F-35A / E-2D

Royal Malaysian Air ForceEmbedded personnel

Royal New Zealand Air ForceEmbedded personnel

Papua New Guinea Defence Force =  PAC-750

Philippine Air Force =  FA-50PH

Republic of Korea Air Force =  F-16

Republic of Singapore Air Force =  F-16 / G550

Royal Air ForceEmbedded personnel

Spanish Air and Space Force =  EF2000 Typhoon / A400M

Royal Thai Air Force =  F-16

United States Air Force =  C-130

RAAF Base Tindal

Australia =  F-35A / KC-30A  / C-130J-30

United States Air Force =  F-35A

RAAF Base Amberley

Australia =  KC-30A  / Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Unit (MMU)Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport  (MRTT)

Royal Air Force =  Voyager

Spain =  Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport  (MRTT)

United States Air Force =  KC-135

 

 

 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by ravenclaw_007