Exercise Pitch Black 2024 takes off

Australia’s biggest international air combat training activity, Exercise Pitch Black, will take to the skies over the Northern Territory from 12 July to 2 August.

With approximately 140 aircraft and over 4000 personnel from 20 nations participating, this year’s iteration of Exercise Pitch Black is the largest participation in its 43-year history.

This exercise exposes participants to complex scenarios whilst utilising some of the most advanced aircraft and battlespace systems, in one of the biggest areas of military training airspace in the world.

For the first time, aircraft and personnel from Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Papua New Guinea and embedded personnel from Fiji and Brunei will participate in the exercise.

In addition, aircraft from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States; and embedded personnel from Canada and New Zealand will also participate.

Aircraft will operate from RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional tanker and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

“Exercise Pitch Black is our premier activity for international engagement, held every two years to build stronger ties with like-minded nations,” Exercise Director Air Commodore Peter Robinson said.

“Training with our partner nations throughout Exercise Pitch Black demonstrates our commitment to the shared value of sustaining peace and stability across the region.

 “The Northern Territory is a big part of what makes this exercise a success, and allows visitors a unique opportunity to experience Australia.”

“Air Force will show its sincere thanks to our local community through the Mindil Beach flying display on 18 July, and the RAAF Base Darwin Open Day on 20 July.”

Media note

More information about exercise participants, flying activity, and public events is available from https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-events/events/exercise-pitch-black.

Vision of this exercise will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20240572. 

Media Contact

Media requests for Exercise Pitch Black can be sent to pb.media@defence.gov.au.