Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025: Strengthening India-US HADR Cooperation

The fourth edition of Exercise Tiger Triumph, a bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise between India and the United States, is set to take place on the Eastern Seaboard from April 1 to April 13, 2025. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in HADR operations, focusing on establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a Combined Coordination Center (CCC). This will facilitate seamless coordination between Indian and US Joint Task Forces (JTF) during crisis situations. The exercise consists of two phases—the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam (April 1–7) and the Sea Phase off Kakinada (April 8–13). Both military forces will conduct joint maritime, amphibious, and HADR operations, including training visits, medical aid camps, and joint command exercises.

Key Highlights of Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025

Objective

• Enhance interoperability between Indian and US armed forces for HADR operations.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for crisis response.
• Establish a Combined Coordination Center (CCC) for effective joint task force management.

Participating Forces

Indian Armed Forces

• Indian Navy
• Ships: INS Jalashwa, INS Gharial, INS Mumbai, INS Shakti
• Aircraft: P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
• Assets: Helicopters, landing crafts

Indian Army

• 91 Infantry Brigade
• 12 Mechanized Infantry Battalion

Indian Air Force (IAF)

• C-130 Aircraft
• MI-17 Helicopters
• Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT)

US Armed Forces

• US Navy
• Ships: USS Comstock, USS Ralph Johnson
• Troops from the US Marine Division
• US Navy Medical Team

Phases of the Exercise

Harbour Phase (April 1–7, 2025) – Visakhapatnam

• Opening Ceremony on INS Jalashwa (April 1) with a joint flag parade and media interaction.
• Training Visits and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) between both forces.
• Sports and social interaction events to strengthen bilateral relations.
• Operational planning for the Sea Phase.

Sea Phase (April 8–13, 2025) – Off Kakinada

• Naval and Amphibious Exercises involving joint maritime operations.
• HADR operations, including joint medical camps at Kakinada Naval Enclave.
• Establishment of a Joint Command and Control Center by Indian Army and US Marines.
• Joint medical aid operations conducted by IAF RAMT and US Navy medical teams.
• Closing Ceremony on USS Comstock (April 13, 2025) at Visakhapatnam.

Strategic Importance

• Strengthens India-US military cooperation in disaster response.
• Improves response mechanisms for natural disasters and crisis situations.
• Enhances tactical coordination in maritime and amphibious operations.
• Reinforces defense diplomacy between India and the US.