PAF sends fighters for 1st time to military exercise in Australia

DARWIN, Australia — For the first time in its 77 year history, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) sent fighter jets to a military exercise in Australia. 

In his report on 24 Oras on Monday, Chino Gaston said the PAF deployed four KAI FA-50PH Golden Eagle light combat aircraft to the ongoing Pitch Black 2024 Multilateral Exercise in Australia.

The Filipino contingent joins modern fighters and other aircraft from 21 countries Down Under with the purpose of improving its capabilities to defend territorial airspace.

Among the participants are the air forces of the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, South Korea, the United States and host Australia. 

In past exercises, the Philippines was limited to sending observers. This time, the country is sending almost 200 pilots and personnel to support the four aircraft in northern Australia. 

One of the primary trainings are interdiction flights where unidentified aircraft enter a country's airspace are intercepted.

Filipino pilots will also hone their skills in night flying exercises.

The Philippine version of the South Korean-made Golden Eagle is a two-seat aircraft that can perform in a combat role and as a supersonic advanced jet trainer. It has a total of 12 KA-50PH in its inventory.

“So lahat dito has something to do sa pag protekta ng air defense at aid defense security .. focus tayo dito sa counter air and air interdiction at the same time,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mario Mendoza, a member of the PAF contingent.

(Everything we are doing here is related to protect and part of air defense... we are focused on counter air and air interdiction at the same time.)

Many of the countries involved in the exercise such as the US, Japan, UK, Australia, France and Canada support the Philippines in the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea against China.

The PAF, however, maintained the exercise is not connected with the tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

“Sa mga nangyayaring ngayong issue or concern sa ating rehiyon ito’y hindi involved sa issue na ‘yun, wala pa yung issue na ‘yun. Nakikilahok na tayo sa mga ganitong exercise, nagkataon lamang na itong iteration ng Pitch Black sumali na ang ating mga eroplano,” Mendoza said.

(The current issues or concerns in our region are not involved here. (The PAF) participates in these kinds of exercises, it just happens that this iteration of Pitch Black, our aircraft are participating.)

Aside from the training of its pilots and ground crew, Pitch Black 2024 is also a good opportunity for the air force to observe the observance of other fighter aircraft that could be purchased under the MultiRole Fighter (MRF) Acquisition Program whose budget was recently approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —RF, GMA Integrated News