About 100 aircraft and 2500 military personnel from 17 nations are in the Northern Territory for Exercise Pitch Black, a three-week program to help enhance Australia's operational readiness.
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Pitch Black 2022 kicks off on Friday after an extended break brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director of engagement Group Captain Peter Wood said exercising with Australia's international partners in combined combat operations was pivotal to ensuring the air force remained ready to respond whenever the federal government required.
"The training and integration of forces that occurs during this exercise directly support air force's ability to conduct operations," he told Defence News.
This year's exercise will involve the German Air Force for the first time, with 200 Luftwaffe personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, three A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports and an A400M transport aircraft being deployed.
Chief of the German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz said the exercises mark the first time German and Australian air forces will train together.
"The Indo-Pacific is of great importance to Germany. We share the same values with many partners in this region," Lt Gen Gerhartz said.
"Defending those values in case of a war emergency, and being able to support our partners, is something that needs to be practised."
Also involved for the first time will be Australia's new F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, giving the RAAF's No.3 and 75 squadrons a chance to put the aircraft through their paces.
Wing Commander Adrian Kiely said Pitch Black provided an outstanding opportunity for detailed training through large-force mission planning and execution.
"Across the exercise, we aim to improve our collective air combat capabilities in a complex and contested environment," he said.
"Our focus for Pitch Black is on strengthened international integration, which is paramount to further improving our ability to come together as a highly effective and interoperable force."
As well as German and Australian forces, those from Canada, France, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the US will take part.
Most will operate out of the RAAF bases at Darwin and Tindal in the NT, with support provided by the Amberley base in Queensland.
Australian Associated Press
