‘Pitch Black' 2026: Papua New Guinea leverages exercise to enhance force capabilities
Lieutenant Heydan ‘Eskimo' Chan of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Air Transport Wing stands beside a PAC P-750XL aircraft deployed to Australia's Exercise ‘Pitch Black' 2026. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) has deployed two light transport aircraft and personnel to Australia's Exercise ‘Pitch Black' 2026 to gain mission-planning experience and support fleet growth, a service spokesperson said on 28 July.
According to Lieutenant Heydan ‘Eskimo' Chan of the PNGDF, two Pacific Aerospace Limited (PAC) P-750XL light transport aircraft and a diverse group of service personnel have been deployed to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin for the exercise.
The PNGDF Air Transport Wing (ATW) operates a small fleet comprising three P-750XL light transport aircraft supplied by Australia in 2014 and 2023, one CASA CN-235 transport aircraft, and one surviving Bell UH-1H Huey helicopter from a fleet of four provided by Australia in 1989. Lt Chan, who is also a P-750XL pilot, said plans are under way to expand the fleet.
The PNGDF's involvement in ‘Pitch Black' 2026 aims to give the service experience as part of the “big picture [operating alongside] fast jets and transport aircraft”, he said. As a result, the PNGDF is more deeply involved in ‘Pitch Black' 2026 than during its maiden participation in the biennial exercise in 2024, he added.
According to Lt Chan, the contingent is absorbing lessons in mission planning alongside larger platforms, including meeting time-on-target requirements for the “whole picture to play out in different areas at different times”.
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