Australia to host Pitch Black 2026 multinational air force exercise

Australia will conduct the international air force exercises Pitch Black 2026, involving personnel from 19 countries in the northern part of the continent, with more than 100 aircraft expected to take part.

The exercises will take place from July 20 to August 7. Military personnel from Brunei, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Spain, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, Fiji, the Philippines, Finland, France, Sweden, and Japan will participate, AIF reports, citing the country’s Ministry of Defence.

According to the Defence Ministry, Pitch Black is the largest international exercise conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force. During the drills, participants will train under conditions as close as possible to real combat on one of the world’s largest military training ranges.

As part of the programme, public events will also be held in Darwin for residents of the Northern Territory, including military aircraft displays and an open day at the Royal Australian Air Force base.