Six countries begin military drill in Australia

Two Australian F/A-18 Hornet aircraft welcome Indonesian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker aircraft into Darwin to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2012. An Australian MoD photo

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA (BNS): Six countries have kicked off an air exercise, codenamed Pitch Black, in the Northern Territory of Australia on July 27.

Over 2,000 personnel and up to 100 military aircraft from Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand and the US are taking part in the biennial military drill which would be held from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases in Darwin and Tindal.

"Exercise Pitch Black will use massive military training areas near Bradshaw and Delamere to practice offensive counter air and offensive air support operations with large formations of foreign aircraft," the Australian Defence Ministry said.

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Thailand signs up for two more Black Hawks

Thailand has agreed to buy two Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters under the U.S. government's foreign military sales program.
The agreement, made by the Thai army in a letter of offer and acceptance, will make Thailand the first member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to fly the latest version of the Black Hawk, a statement by Sikorsky said.
"The Black Hawk helicopter is the standard by which all military utility helicopters are judged," said Samir Mehta, president of Sikorsky Military Systems.

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