RSAF sends 300 personnel and 16 aircraft to air combat exercise in Australia

Republic of Singapore Air force (RSAF) officers with an F-15SG jet during a military exercise in Arizona, US. -- PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN FILE
Republic of Singapore Air force (RSAF) officers with an F-15SG jet during a military exercise in Arizona, US. -- PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN FILE

SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has deployed 300 personnel and 16 aircraft to a large-scale multilateral air combat exercise in Darwin, Australia.

The deployment includes six F-15SG fighters, eight F-16 fighters, a Gulfstream 550 airborne early warning aircraft and a KC-135R air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

Codenamed Pitch Black, the biennial exercise sees up to 100 aircraft and 2,300 personnel from seven countries testing their air combat skills.

Participating in the three-week exercise - which started on Aug 1 - are the United States, New Zealand, Thailand, Australia, France, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

A Singaporean F-16 fighter also successfully conducted a live drop of a dual-mode guided bomb, which allows "effective all-weather operational flexibility", the Defence Ministry (Mindef) said on Wednesday.

Established in 1990, the exercise aims to enhance professionalism and rapport among participating forces.

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