Aircraft from around the world will take to Australia’s skies for the return of Exercise Pitch Black, the Royal Australian Air Force’s premier, biennial flying activity. 

From 20 July to 7 August 2026, aircraft and participating nations will return to RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, and RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, for the Air Force’s most significant international engagement activity. 

Exercise Pitch Black will improve interoperability between Australia and its regional and global partner air forces, in complex combat-like scenarios. Flying complexity will increase over the three-week exercise, with missions building throughout the period in the Northern Territory military airspace.  

Exercise Pitch Black will close out a high tempo-flying period across Northern Australia, preceded by Exercises Diamond Storm, and Southern Cross.  

As per previous iterations, Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will include a Mindil Beach Flypast on 23 July 2026 and the RAAF Darwin Open Day on 1 August 2026 to thank the community for their ongoing support. 

Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is vital for the preparedness and collective security of both Australia and the wider region. We thank the communities of the Northern Territory and Queensland for their ongoing support.

Media note
Details of aircraft and participating nations will be made available over the coming months.

Media can access imagery/vision from previous iterations of Exercise Pitch Black at this link.

Media Contact
Defence Media: media@defence.gov.au 

Media outlets and Defence correspondents are requested to note their Expressions of Interest to attend Pitch Black media activities by emailing pb.media@defence.gov.au