Australia-Led Air Combat Exercise Kicks-Off With Participation From 16 Nations, Including Germany

Australia on Friday kicked off a large-scale joint military exercise with 16 allied nations, including Germany, amid growing concern over China’s military threat surrounding Taiwan.

The biennial Pitch Black military exercise, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, involves over 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel. Through Sept., the drill will be held in Queensland and Northern Territory. 8.

” This year significant efforts were made to improve the air-to-air refueling capabilities between many countries,” Australian Air Commodore Tim Alsop stated in a declaration.

“Air-to-air refueling provides vital reach for our combat aircraft and is an effective force multiplier. Alsop said that working with many countries participating in the program aims to maximize our capabilities and increase force projection.

The participating countries include France, Indonesia and India as well as Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United States.

Japan and South Korea participated for the first-time. Germany deployed 13 military aircraft to the drill, while India said that it sent four Su-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 aircraft.

As the #IAF contingent moves into #RAAF Darwin base for #ExPitchBlack22, heartfelt thanks to our friends from the French Air & Space Force for the enroute aerial refuelling support.

Merci beaucoup! @Armee_de_lair pic.twitter.com/5xPvUMiFRy

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 18, 2022

The drill took place against the background of China’s threat to Taiwan after Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House Speaker visited the island. China regards Taiwan as an independent province which must be united with the mainland.

But Ingo Gerhatz, chief of the German Air Force said Monday that China’s military plane deployment to Australia wasn’t meant to “any threatening message”. The aircraft will be flying on civilian routes.

“The South China Sea and Taiwan are clearly the major sticking points of the region,” he said to reporters. “We will fly at an altitude of more than 10 kilometers [6.2 miles] and barely touch the South China Sea, and we will move on international routes.”

The general’s sentiment was repeated by Philip Green, Australia’s Ambassador to Germany. He stressed that there were no reasons why Beijing should be subject to a routine exercise that could cause instability in the region.

” “We seek a region that will be stable and peaceful. Each country can make their sovereign decisions,” Green stated when asked about China’s message.

Reuters contributed to this report.