Philippine Air Force joins Australia’s 2026 Pitch Black exercise

MANILA, Philippines— The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter jets showed off their air combat capabilities on the last day of the Australian Air Force’s 2026 Pitch Black exercise in Darwin, Australia.

According to PAF, four Philippine fighter jets went airborne with other allied fighter aircraft among 21 participating nations on Thursday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Among 21 participating nations are the country’s key allies, including the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia, according to the Australian Air Force.

“The multinational exercise, held from July 20 to August 7 in Darwin, brings together air forces from Australia’s 21 partner nations to train in advanced air combat operations, enhancing interoperability, readiness, and regional defense cooperation,” the Department of National Defense said in a statement.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who is in Australia for the third Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers’ meeting, personally witnessed the takeoff of the FA-50 fighter jets. The PAF said a C-130 transport aircraft was also deployed, along with 200 pilots and personnel to join the multinational exercise.

The PAF highlighted that the multinational exercise is aimed at providing high-end night combat scenarios for participating nations to boost pilot capabilities.

This is the second time the country has joined Exercise Pitch Black since participating in 2024. ** (Geneson Satsatin/INQUIRER.NET Trainee)** /gsg