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Indonesian Air Force T-50i Golden Eagle light combat aircraft have been deployed to Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory for the first time.
Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force’s biennial capstone, an international exercise with 21 participating nations from a range of regional and allied partners from 20 July to 7 August. The exercise takes place primarily in northern Australia with participants flying from RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley.
The T-50i Golden Eagle is a light combat aircraft designed to prepare pilots for modern air combat missions, and its deployment to Australia reportedly marks a new chapter in the Australia-Indonesia defence partnership.
Letkol Pnb Djatmiko, Commanding Officer of Skadron Udara 15 of the Indonesian Air Force, said he is proud to participate in Pitch Black with this significant flying milestone.
“It is important for Indonesia to participate in Pitch Black, as Australia is one of our closest neighbours,” Commanding Officer Djatmiko said.
“Training together helps strengthen our partnership and contribute to peace and security across the region.”
Golden Eagle were originally inducted into the Indonesian Air Force in 2014.
The Pitch Black Country Liaison Officer for Indonesia, Wing Commander Steven O’Hara, said our collective air power is strengthened by the involvement of the T-50i Golden Eagle.
“Indonesia participates in our exercises just as we participate in theirs,” Wing Commander O’Hara said.
“It’s one of the most important defence relationships we have and we’re excited to see Indonesia bring the T-50i Golden Eagles to Exercise Pitch Black 2026, where they’ll primarily operate in the strike role.”
Robert Dougherty
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