Singapore - Singapore is taking part in a multilateral air combat exercise involving 3,000 personnel from its air force as well as Thai, French, Australian, Malaysian, US and NATO personnel, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

Codenamed "Exercise Pitch Black 08," 60 aircraft from the participating countries are involved in the large-scale training that started in Darwin, Australia On June 6 and wraps up on June 27.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has deployed 394 personnel along with "fighter, transport, and surveillance aircraft as well as air defect weapon systems," the ministry's statement said.

Exercise Pitch Black provides the RSAF "with an excellent opportunity to conduct large force employment training and enhance interoperability with the other participating forces through combined air operations in day and night scenarios," the statement noted.

The RSAF has been a regular participant since 1990. (dpa)