An Italian military aircraft has crashed in a remote part of the Northern Territory during a multinational defence exercise. 

NT police confirmed the crash occurred about 18 kilometres south-west of Daly River on Wednesday morning.

“The pilot has been conveyed to hospital for precautionary checks but is otherwise safe and well,” an NT police spokesperson said.

A Defence spokesperson said the pilot was an international participant in Exercise Pitch Black and was “ejected” from their aircraft while flying it. 

“Australian Defence Force personnel responded immediately and professionally at 10:45am to an aircraft emergency in the exercise area and coordinated recovery of the pilot with a search and rescue helicopter,” they said.

“The exercise participant made immediate contact with aircrew in the area via radio following their ejection.”

The pilot arrived at Royal Darwin Hospital via the rescue chopper about 1:30pm Wednesday. 

No other passengers were reported to be involved.

All flying for the remainder of the day was cancelled, the Defence spokesperson said.

In a statement, the Italian Air Force confirmed their pilot and plane had been involved in the crash.

“An Italian Air Force F2000 aircraft, during a training flight over the skies of the Northern Territory … crashed to the ground for reasons currently unknown,” it said.

“The pilot promptly ejected from the aircraft.

“He is in good health and is completing medical tests at hospital. 

“No further damage was recorded.” 

The Australian Defence Force is expected to provide further updates when they become available.

The noise of military aircraft over Darwin and the Top End is a constant during the biennial Exercise Pitch Black, which the RAAF says “focuses on large force employment missions involving large numbers of international aircraft”.

It is conducted out of RAAF air bases in Darwin and Katherine, and this year involves 20 nations and more than 140 aircraft.

The RAAF says Exercise Pitch Black is the “most significant flying activity” it undertakes.