Gallery: Exercise Pitch Black 2024

Chen Chuanren August 02, 2024

Credit: Chen Chuanren

A German (foreground) and Spainish Eurofighter Typhoon lands at Darwin European air arms embarked on their most ambitious aerial deployment yet. France, Germany and Spain flew to Australia in an combined deployment known as Pacific Skies. 

Credit: Chen Chuanren

The Italian air force and navy deployed F-35A/B, Typhoons, AV-8B Harrier as well as the Cavour carrier strike group to Australia in their debut Pitch Black. 

Credit: Chen Chuanren

An anchor participant, the Singaporeans sent six F-16C/Ds, including four upgraded ones, as well as four F-15SG. 

Credit: Chen Chuanren

Another debutant is the Philippine Air Force, sending four KAI FA-50PH in their first overseas exercises.

Credit: Chen Chuanren

Indian Air Force is the only country sending Eastern-bloc aircraft,  the Su-30MKI to Pitch Black.

Credit: Chen Chuanren

The Republic of Korea Air Force returns to Pitch Black for the second time, this time with the F-15K Slam Eagle.

Credit: Chen Chuanren

Known for its pitch black night missions, this year’s exercise saw a high concentration of fifth generation fighters. Here a Royal Australian Air Force F-35A departs for a night mission. 

Aviation Week Asia Pacific correspondent Chen Chuanren was in Darwin for Ex. Pitch Black. The 2024 iteration is the largest in the exercise’s 43 year’s history, with 140 aircraft from 20 countries.  

Chen Chuanren

Chen Chuanren is the Southeast Asia and China Editor for the Aviation Week Network’s (AWN) Air Transport World (ATW) and the Asia-Pacific Defense Correspondent for AWN, joining the team in 2017.