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Exercise Pitch Black began on Friday with more than 100 aircraft taking part from 17 different nations.
The training program will be mostly based in Base Darwin and Base Tindal and is scheduled to last from 19 August until 8 September.
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According to the Exercise Commander, Air Commodore Tim Alsop, Pitch Black will help promote ongoing stability in the region.
“With 17 nations participating, Exercise Pitch Black will allow the RAAF to work with our allies and partners, sharing tactics and procedures that will enhance interoperability between our forces,” AIRCDRE Alsop said.
“Several countries are participating in Pitch Black for the first time, and we welcome them to the exercise and the magnificent Northern Territory.”
Pitch Black is scheduled to include day and night flying and some supporting elements will be located at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
Those nations taking part include Australia, France, Germany, Canada, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, New Caledonia, the Philippines, and the Netherlands.
Pitch Black is a large force employment exercise, driven by fighter combat scenarios. This year, significant efforts have been made to advance the air to air refuelling capability between many of the participating nations,” AIRCDRE Alsop said.
“Air to air refuelling is a force multiplier, providing essential reach to our combat aircraft. Working with participating nations aims to increase our force projection and maximise our capability.”
“We would like to thank the Northern Territory community for their continued support and interest in Exercise Pitch Black and to welcome all the international participants to the Top End.”
Earlier this week, Australian Aviation reported how the RAAF and German Air Force would train together for the first time during Pitch Black.
The Luftwaffe has sent six Eurofighter Typhoons, three A330 multi-role tanker transports, and an A400M.
To mark its participation, the German Air Force painted one of its Eurofighters in a special livery that included the Australian and Japanese flags.
Chief of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz said, “The Indo-Pacific is of great importance to Germany. We share the same values with many partners in this region.
“Defending those values in case of a war emergency and being able to support our partners is something that needs to be practised.”
It is hoped that Exercise Pitch Black will enable the Luftwaffe to integrate with Australia’s F-35A capabilities.
“The F-35 aircraft will further expand the broad spectrum of our capabilities. Since the Royal Australian Air Force is already flying this combat aircraft, we will be able to learn from them as well,” LTGEN Gerhartz said.
While the Eurofighter is a multi-role aircraft, the German government has confirmed that it will also acquire F-35 systems to replace its ageing Tornados.
