Tiger Triumph 2026: India–US Tri-Service HADR Exercise Begins in Visakhapatnam

The 5th Edition of the India-US Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise that is Tiger Triumph 2026 commenced on 2nd November 2026 at the Maritime Warfare Center (MWC), Visakhapatnam. This exercise was conducted as a Tabletop Exercise (TTX).

Important Highlights of Tiger Triumph 2026

• Name: Tiger Triumph 2026
• Edition: 5th
• Countries Involved: India & United States
• Type: Bilateral Tri-Service HADR Exercise
• Date of commencement: 2nd Nov 2026
• Location: Maritime Warfare Center, Visakhapatnam
• Type of Exercise: Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
• Indian Officer In Charge: RAdm Vishal Bishnoi (Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet)
• US Officer In Charge: RAdm Joaquin J Martinez de Pinillos (Vice Commander, US Pacific Fleet)
• Main Objective: To improve joint planning, coordination & interoperability
• New inclusion: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

What is Tiger Triumph Exercise?

Tiger Triumph is a bilateral tri-service exercise conducted between India and United States to improve coordination between both countries’ armed forces during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

During this exercise, personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, along with the US Armed Forces, come together to improve coordination to respond to large-scale disasters.

The 2026 edition will also aim to conduct Combined Joint All Domain Operations.

Tiger Triumph 2026 – Forces Involved

This exercise involves personnel and experts from multiple disaster response and military organizations.

India

• Indian Navy – Experts from different domain areas of the Indian Navy
• Indian Army – Representatives from the Indian Army
• Indian Air Force – Representatives from various parts of the Indian Air Force
• Special Forces – Personnel from all three Armed Forces of India
• NDRF – The National Disaster Response Force will be involved for the first time in the 5th edition.

United States

• Joint Force – Experts from all parts of the US Armed Forces:
• Air Force
• Army
• Marines
• Navy
• Space & Cyber
• Medical
• EOD

What is a Tabletop Exercise (TTX)?

A Tabletop Exercise (TTX) is an exercise where participants have a discussion-based training session to run through scenarios that involve an emergency or disaster situation. This enables teams to test their plans, discuss roles, identify any issues with coordination and improve their decision making.

This exercise will improve joint planning and coordination between the Indian and US forces during large-scale HADR.

Why is Tiger Triumph 2026 Important?

It demonstrates the increasing defence relationship between India and the US and the alignment of their strategic maritime interests.

The main objectives of this exercise are,

Interoperability – Improve the capability of the two countries’ armed forces to work well together.

Disaster Response Planning – Develop plans to respond to large scale humanitarian and disaster relief.

Tri-Service – Bring together the Army, Navy and Air Force from both countries.

Multi-Domain – Improve coordination between maritime, land, air, space and cyber.

Civil-Military – The involvement of the NDRF brings an important disaster response organisation into the exercise.