A gas turbine engine comprising a cyclonic separator provides fluid communication between the compressor section and the turbine section. The cyclonic separator comprises an annular volume receiving a flow of cooling fluid from an inlet and dividing the airflow into a cleaner air outlet and a scavenge outlet. The flow of cooling fluid is provided to the cyclonic separator in a direction tangential to the annular volume such that a cyclonic flow of cooling fluid moves within the annular volume centrifugally separating particles entrained within the airflow to the radial outer area of the annular volume for removal through the scavenge outlet and providing a cleaner airflow to the cleaner air outlet.