Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is a national strategy made visible in the North

Up to 100 aircraft and more than 2,500 personnel from 20 nations are participating across RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley.

An exercise of this scale depends on more than the bases themselves. It relies on resilient north–south freight and logistics connections, skilled workers, adequate housing, capable local supply chains and communities able to sustain the activity.

These are not simply regional development issues. They are part of the infrastructure and community capacity required to sustain Australia’s national capability in the North.

The continuing development of RAAF Base Tindal, including the new MQ-4C Triton facilities, is strengthening Australia’s northern air and maritime surveillance capability. More than $166 million in contracts for the Triton facilities were awarded to Northern Territory businesses, including $7.5 million to Indigenous subcontractors.

As DMBG prepares for Facing North 2026, our focus is on the practical enablers that allow the Territory to support national priorities while securing enduring economic and community benefits from that investment.

National security, national resilience and northern development are closely connected.

Strengthening the North strengthens Australia.