The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today officially opened Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Darwin, Australia's premier international air combat exercise.
Over the next three weeks, 100 aircraft and around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force and 20 other nations will take part in training activities and exercises in the skies over Australia's north.
The biennial exercise is an opportunity to strengthen relationships among our partners and allies by building interoperability through realistic, high-end training from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, and RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
Aircraft from the United States, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Republic of Korea, India, Singapore, Germany, France and Spain as well as embedded personnel from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, Brunei, Malaysia, Finland and Sweden will all take part in this year's exercise.
By working together with our partners we are able to develop the capability of the Royal Australian Air Force, strengthen our nation's security and help keep Australians safe.
The community in Darwin and right across the north also play such an important role in the success of Pitch Black, which can only happen with their support.
Locals will have a chance to see first-hand what Pitch Black is all about at the upcoming Mindil Beach Flying Display later this week, and at the RAAF Base Darwin open day on 1 August.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"Australia is strongest when we work closely with our partners.
"Exercise Pitch Black strengthens those partnerships and demonstrates Australia's commitment to working closely across our region to support peace, stability and security.
"I'm proud to officially open Exercise Pitch Black here in Darwin where it has been hosted for more than 40 years. It's another reminder of the important role the Territory plays in Australia's defence and our engagement with the region.
"I thank all of the Australian Defence Force men and women, our international partners and the people of the Northern Territory for helping make this year's exercise such a success."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:
"Exercise Pitch Black is one of the most complex and significant air exercises which occurs in the Indo-Pacific and this year's iteration is once again one of the largest in its 45 year history.
"Through this exercise, our Air Force is showcasing Australia's ability to bring together partners from the region and beyond to enhance interoperability and deepen defence cooperation.
"My thanks go out to all of the personnel and importantly the local communities across the Northern Territory and Darwin who make this possible."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans Affairs and Northern Australia, Luke Gosling:
"Territorians understand the important role our home plays in Australia's defence, and Exercise Pitch Black puts Darwin at the centre of one of the world's most significant air combat exercises.
"We're proud to welcome around 2,500 personnel from 20 nations to the Territory to train alongside the Royal Australian Air Force and build the relationships that help keep our region secure.
"Pitch Black also brings a real energy to Darwin, and I encourage locals to get down to the Mindil Beach Flying Display and RAAF Base Darwin open day to see some of the world's most advanced aircraft up close."
