Finland and Sweden will take part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the largest multinational air force exercises in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hosted by Australia from July 20 to August 7, the exercise will bring together more than 100 aircraft and personnel from 19 countries across Europe and Asia, according to the Australian Department of Defence.
Alongside the two Nordic nations, participating countries include Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
According to the Royal Australian Air Force, the exercise is designed to improve cooperation between allied and partner nations through complex combat-training scenarios.
“Exercise Pitch Black 26 is vital for the preparedness and collective security of both Australia and the region,” Exercise Commander Air Commodore Matt McCormack said.
The exercise comes as security cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific countries continues to expand amid growing geopolitical tensions and shared concerns over regional stability.
Exercise Pitch Black has been held regularly since 1981 and is regarded as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most important military aviation exercises.
