As announced by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the 2024 edition of the multinational Exercise Pitch Black promises to be the largest and most significant in its 43-year history. This is primarily due to the participation of 140 aircraft of various types and 4,500 personnel from 20 nations, including the first-time participation of many countries such as Spain. Of particular note is the deployment by the Italian Armed Forces, who, for their inaugural presence in this edition, have dispatched the aircraft carrier Cavour of the Italian Navy along with its embarked air group and an escort group consisting of frigates and patrol vessels. This marks the first time this unit and its escorts have been sent to the Indo-Pacific region.
The flagship of the Marina Militare arrived at Darwin port on July 10 after completing a journey across the Atlantic and circumnavigating the African continent. This deployment marks the first time the Italian aircraft carrier has operated in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout its journey, the ship was accompanied by a group of escorts to form the Carrier Strike Group Cavour, comprising additional assets from allied navies. This group includes the FREMM frigate (Bergamini-class) Alpino (F 594) and the multipurpose patrol vessel Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432), belonging to the new Thaon di Revel class. Notably, the Spanish Navy frigate Numancia (F-83) also participated as part of the allied units.
Over the coming days, during the Exercise Pitch Black 2024, scheduled to run until August 2, the Cavour’s Air Group will engage in multinational exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and joint operations with the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy.
The Cavour’s Air Group includes fifth-generation F-35B stealth fighters and AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft, both capable of vertical takeoff and landing, complemented by NH90 family helicopters. The participation of stealth fighters is significant, as the Marina Militare aims to achieve initial operational capability with these new aircraft types during the exercise.
Following its participation in Australia, the Cavour will not only return to its home port but will also make a stop in Japan for further combined activities and exercises with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. Seventh Fleet.
*Photographs: Royal Australian Air Force / Ministry of Defense of Italy.
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