The Italian Air Force has confirmed that the pilot was successfully rescued.
A Eurofighter Typhoon belonging to the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) crashed, for unknown reason, in the Douglas Daly region in the Northern Territory of Australia, to the southwest of Darwin. The aircraft is one of the jets deployed to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2024.
According to a release by the Italian Air Force, the pilot was successfully rescued after ejecting from the F-2000 (as the Eurofighters are designated in Italy). “He is in good health and is completing medical tests at a hospital. No further damage was recorded.”
Local news reports say that flying activity for Exercise Pitch Black 24 has been temporarily suspended following the crash.
Exercise Pitch Black is a three-week biennial large-force employment multi-national exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force from July 12 to August 2, 2024.
The 2024 edition is the largest iteration in its history, with 21 international participants, and over 140 aircraft from around the world.
The event takes place in northern Australia, with fighter operations centered at RAAF Bases Tindal and Darwin, and support aircraft, such as tankers and tactical airlifters, based at Amberly.
Italy takes part in Pitch Black for the first time.
A mixed 400-strong Italian Air Force detachment deployed to RAAF Base Darwin on July 5, 2024. The Italian Air Force contingent includes six F-35A and F-35B Lightning II, four Eurofighter Typhoon and one G550 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) supported by KC-767 and C-130J.
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The Italian Air Force aircraft (as well as the Navy F-35Bs and AV-8Bs also deployed there) have taken part in a flypast over Mindil Beach on July 18 2024.
After the end of Pitch Black 2024, Italian Air Force aircraft and personnel will move to Misawa, Japan for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Rising Sun 2024. As part of the Air Force’s Indo-Pacific air campaign, joint training with the Navy is also planned through the embarkation of two Italian Air Force F-35Bs on the Cavour aircraft carrier, as part of a major organizational effort of the entire Italian defense.
More Typhoons in the future
As already reported, shortly after cancelling the 1.2 billion Euro KC-46 program, on July 4, 2024, the Ministry of Defense requested approval for the acquisition of 24 new Typhoons and the renewal of technical and logistic support for the entire fleet.
Details were not disclosed, however the document says the request will be evaluated by the Commission for Foreign Affairs and Defense and the Commission for Balance, with a decision expected by Aug. 13. This is the first step of the acquisition process, after which the parties involved will start working on the contract and more details will be released.
The acquisition of a new tranche of the European fighter jet by the Italian Air Force has been long rumored but never confirmed, until now. The program is expected to also act as a bridge to keep the assembly lines active until GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) is ready for serial production.
