French bring elite fighter jets to Exercise Pitch Black

More than 200 personnel and several elite fighter jets have arrived in Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black to further Franco-Australian relations and prepare for “high-intensity conflicts”.

The French Air and Space Force is again participating in Australia’s largest combat training activity, Exercise Pitch Black. Picture: Supplied

The French Air and Space Force has sent more than 200 personnel and several high-class fighters to take part in Darwin’s Exercise Pitch Black.

This year’s exercise is the largest in its 43 year history with about 140 aircraft and more than 4000 personnel from 20 nations taking part.

France joined the operation in 2004, and continues to participate 20 years on with an active role in a range of complex training exercises.

The European country has brought more than 200 aviators and military personnel to support its allies.

It has also brought three rafale multi-role fighters, two A330 MRTT Phenix aerial refuelling, a transport aircraft and an A400M Atlas tactical airlifter.

Exercise Pitch Black is one of three exercises the French are taking part in as part of their PEGASE Air Mission. Picture: Supplied

The Ambassador of France to Australia Pierre-Andre Imbert said it was “fantastic” to continue the relationship with Australia through the exercise.

“It is fantastic to be with my Australian friends and European colleagues at the RAAF base in Darwin, where like-minded nations are partaking in important air force training activities,” he said.

“Pitch Black demonstrates the Franco-Australian partnership continues to be dynamic, based on a common operational approach, exchanges of expertise and joint participation in major training programs.

“These air combat training exercises provide us with a great opportunity to develop interoperability between latest-generation fighters so as to be ready for tomorrow’s high-intensity conflicts.”

The French Air and Space Force is again participating in Australia’s largest combat training activity, Exercise Pitch Black. Picture: Supplied

Pitch Black is one of three major exercises the French are involved in as part of the country’s PEGASE Air mission that strengthens operational readiness with France’s partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The 2024 iteration of PEGASE takes on a multinational dimension with the inclusion of European countries, including Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Originally published as French bring elite fighter jets to Exercise Pitch Black