The fourth edition of Tiger Triumph, a bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise between India and United States, commenced in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This amphibious exercise emphasizes strengthening interoperability and joint response strategies in humanitarian crises and disaster scenarios.
About Tiger Triumph
Location & Launch:
- Hosted at: Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Visakhapatnam.
- Formally Launched Onboard: INS Jalashwa (L41).
- Marks enhanced convergence of India-US maritime strategic interests and deepening defence cooperation.
Exercise Phases:
Harbour Phase:
- Focuses on planning, coordination, and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Includes professional interactions, ship visits, and pre-sail planning for HADR operations.
Sea Phase:
- Includes maritime, amphibious, and disaster relief drills.
- Features the setup of a Joint Combined Humanitarian Relief and Medical Camp at Kakinada, post amphibious landing.
- Establishment of a Joint Combined Command and Control Center for coordinated operations.
Participating Forces:
Indian Navy: INS Jalashwa (amphibious ship) with landing crafts & helicopters; INS Mumbai (missile destroyer), INS Gharial (assault ship), INS Shakti (fleet tanker); P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, MH60R Helicopters, Hawk Aircraft.
Indian Army: Infantry battalion group; Special operations forces from all three services; Cyber and space domain specialists.
Indian Air Force: C-130 aircraft, Mi-17 V5 helicopters. Display of air-portable Bhisma medical equipment for rapid disaster response.
United States Side:
Navy & Marines: USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) (guided-missile destroyer); 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; P8A Poseidon Aircraft.
Air Force & Space Force: Subject matter experts from U.S. Space Force and Air Force; C-130J aircraft.
U.S. Army: Representation includes combat platoon, medical platoon, Civil-Military Operations Center. Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell.
Significance of Tiger Triumph 2025
- Tri-Service Integration: Enhances coordination across land, sea, and air forces.
- Interoperability: Develops joint SOPs and operational frameworks for HADR missions.
- Strategic Depth: Reflects robust Indo-US defence ties and shared commitment to global humanitarian response.
- Disaster Preparedness: Simulates real-time disaster scenarios to test agility and medical readiness.
- Innovation: Incorporates cyber, space, and multi-domain operations—a first for such exercises.