Exercise Pitch Black 26 concludes in Australia

Exercise Pitch Black 26 concluded on August 7 after three weeks of high-intensity air-combat training in Australia's Northern Territory. The biennial international exercise involved more than 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft from 21 partner nations, operating primarily from RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley.

The exercise featured the debut of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-35A Lightning II and the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighters. The Indian deployment specifically tested the Rafale's ability to conduct long-range operations and integrate into complex multinational combat environments.

Exercise Commander Air Commodore Matthew McCormack noted that the activity delivered significant operational and relationship-building outcomes. Participating nations included 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.