ALBAWABA - According to Australian defense officials, an "International aircraft" has crashed in an Australian military exercise.
The defense official reported that after the crash, initial reports revealed that the pilot was safe, however further information from the crash site is still vague.
Australian Defence Department official said in a statement that "Defence can confirm an international participant in Exercise Pitch Black 24 is safe and well after ejecting from their aircraft this morning during flying operations,".
The aircraft crashed Wednesday during a big international military exercise in northern Australia, according to a defense official, who stated that the pilot evacuated safely.
According to emergency responders and defense authorities, the aircraft crashed near the northern city of Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 24. The Australian Defence Department stated that the collision occurred at about 10.45 a.m. local time.
The pilot made immediate contact with aircrew in the area via radio following their ejection.
According to the Australian Air Force, Exercise Pitch Black takes place every two years to train for complex operations involving significant numbers of foreign aircraft. The Italian Air Force took part in the exercises for the first time.
Later last week, Brigadier General Filippo Nannelli stated: "We are looking forward to the chance to collaborate and work with so many international partners from this area of the globe, far from our homeland,".
