Article Posted on : - Jul 30, 2012

Two Australian F/A-18 Hornet aircraft welcome Indonesian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker aircraft into Darwin to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2012. An Australian MoD photo

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA (BNS): Six countries have kicked off an air exercise, codenamed Pitch Black, in the Northern Territory of Australia on July 27.

Over 2,000 personnel and up to 100 military aircraft from Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand and the US are taking part in the biennial military drill which would be held from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases in Darwin and Tindal.

"Exercise Pitch Black will use massive military training areas near Bradshaw and Delamere to practice offensive counter air and offensive air support operations with large formations of foreign aircraft," the Australian Defence Ministry said.

Indonesia, which is participating in the wargame for the first time, will field its Sukhoi Flanker fighter aircraft during the drill.

Singapore is deploying its F-15SG Eagle and Gulfstream G550 Conformal airborne early warning aircraft.

Australia Air Force's Super Hornet fighter, Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, and KC-30A multi-role tanker transport planes are taking part in the exercise, the MoD said.

The wargame will conclude on August 17.