The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that Exercise Pitch Black will return later this year, bringing together aircraft and personnel from multiple countries for nearly three weeks of large-scale military training across northern Australia.
The biennial exercise will run from July 20 to August 7, 2026, with operations based out of RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, as well as RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026: What to expect
Exercise Pitch Black is the RAAF’s flagship international flying exercise. It is designed to improve coordination between Australia and its regional and global partner air forces through complex, combat-like scenarios.
The exercise will gradually increase in intensity over the three-week period, with missions building in complexity as participating crews train in the Northern Territory’s military airspace.
Details on which countries and aircraft will take part have not yet been released, with the RAAF noting that more information will be made available in the coming months.
Wrapping up a busy period
The exercise caps off a stretch of high-tempo flying activity across northern Australia. It follows two other major exercises, Diamond Storm and Southern Cross, which are scheduled to take place in the lead-up.
Public events planned
As in previous years, the RAAF will open parts of the exercise to the public. A flypast over Mindil Beach in Darwin is scheduled for July 23, 2026, and the RAAF Darwin Open Day will be held on August 1, 2026. Both events are intended to thank local communities for their ongoing support.
The RAAF said Exercise Pitch Black plays an important role in maintaining the preparedness and collective security of both Australia and the wider region.