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6 clusters · 19 sources · 39 days · First seen · Last updated

Indonesia's T‑50i role in Pitch Black 2026

Overview

In mid‑July 2026, the Indonesian Air Force sent four T‑50i Golden Eagle trainers and a C‑130 Hercules from El Tari Air Base to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black, which runs 20 July–7 August. Before departure, the squadron held an open‑base event for local residents in Kupang. A week later, Korea Aerospace Industries delivered six more T‑50i aircraft, completing a USD 240 million contract and bringing Indonesia’s fleet to 22 jets. The delivery, part of a broader defence partnership that also includes work on the KF‑21 fighter, was followed by the immediate deployment of the new aircraft to the drill, marking the first appearance of Indonesia’s Golden Eagles at Pitch Black. The exercise hosts over 2,500 personnel from 21 nations, featuring first‑time Japanese F‑35s, Spanish A330 MRTT tankers, and a wide mix of regional air forces. Host RAAF officials highlighted the complex, jointly planned scenarios as a signal of shared commitment to regional peace, while analysts noted China’s absence. On 4 August, the chiefs of the Indonesian and Australian air forces flew together in a formation over Darwin—an Indonesian T‑50i alongside an RAAF F/A‑18 Hornet—underscoring operational trust and interoperability between the two services. Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono flew as a passenger in the T‑50i while Australian Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell piloted the Hornet. Exercise Pitch Black 2026 concluded on 7 August following three weeks of high-intensity training involving 100 aircraft. In addition to the Japanese F-35A Lightning II, the exercise featured the debut of Indian Air Force Rafale fighters testing long-range integration. Participating nations included 21 partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, and several Southeast Asian and European countries.

Entities

Royal Australian Air Force · Indian Air Force · Exercise Pitch Black · Indo-Pacific · Rafale

Timeline

  1. 30 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Indian Air Force completes major air exercises in Australia and Malaysia

    The Indian Air Force completed dual air exercises in Australia (Pitch Black 2026) and Malaysia (Udara Shakti 2026) to enhance tactical coordination and defense ties in the Indo-Pacific.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Exercise Pitch Black 26 concludes in Australia

    Exercise Pitch Black 26 concluded in Australia after three weeks of air-combat training involving 21 nations, featuring the debut of Indian Rafale and Japanese F-35A aircraft.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Indonesia and Australia Air Chiefs Conduct Joint Fighter Formation Over Darwin

    Indonesian and Australian air chiefs flew a joint formation over Darwin on 4 Aug 2026 during Exercise Pitch Black, highlighting defence ties and regional stability.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Exercise Pitch Black brings 21 nations' warplanes to northern Australia

    Australia hosts Exercise Pitch Black, a three‑week air combat drill with 21 nations, over 2,500 personnel, Japanese F‑35s, Indonesian trainers and Spanish A330 MRTT tankers for in‑flight refuelling.

  5. 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Indonesia boosts T-50i fleet, debuts jets at Australia's Pitch Black drill

    Indonesia received six more T‑50i Golden Eagle jets, raising its fleet to 22, and deployed them for the first time to Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black, strengthening ties with South Korea and Australia.

  6. 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Indonesia deploys four T-50i fighters to Australia for Pitch Black 2026

    Indonesia's Air Force sent four T-50i fighters and a C‑130 transport to Australia for the Pitch Black 2026 drill, departing from Kupang on July 16.

Sources

asianlite.com · autocasion.com · avioblog.it · beautynury.com · bhaskarhindi.com · communitynews.com.au · contactairlandandsea.com · defence-industry.eu · defencestar.in · diplomacybeyond.com · en.antaranews.com · event.tempo.co · m.jpnn.com · militaryleak.com · outono.net · samacharnama.com · socialnews.xyz · ssbcrack.com · theeuropetoday.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history