India and the United States have launched the fourth edition of their joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, Tiger Triumph 2025, emphasizing their deepening strategic maritime partnership. The opening ceremony was conducted aboard the Indian Navy’s INS Jalashwa (L41) on April 1, setting the stage for an extensive two-phase operation aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two nations during large-scale HADR scenarios.
The harbor phase of the exercise, held in Visakhapatnam from April 1 to April 7, focuses on training and refining procedures established in previous iterations of Tiger Triumph. This segment will include Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) events across professional domains like special operations, emergency medical response, and integrated operations spanning air, maritime, cyber, and space domains. These activities aim to foster mutual learning and bond-building between the participating forces. Cultural site visits and sports events further serve to strengthen camaraderie and personal relationships among troops.
The sea phase, scheduled for April 8 to April 12, will bring Indian and U.S. forces together for collaborative training in maritime, amphibious, and HADR operations. Through a Joint Combined Command and Control Center, the forces will simulate and practice establishing a humanitarian relief and medical response camp following an amphibious landing at Kakinada. This critical phase underscores both nations’ commitment to coordinated disaster response strategies in challenging environments.
Participating Indian units include the INS Jalashwa, INS Mumbai, INS Shakti, and other key naval assets, along with contributions from the Army’s Infantry Battalion group, mechanized forces, and special operations forces from all three services. The Air Force will showcase its capabilities with C-130 aircraft, Mi-17 V5 helicopters, and the portable Bhisma medical equipment.
On the U.S. side, the task force consists of the USS Comstock, guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson, P8A Poseidon aircraft, and personnel from the Marines and Army’s specialized units. The U.S. Space Force and Air Force will also provide expertise through subject matter specialists and equipment, including a C-130J aircraft.
Tiger Triumph 2025 reaffirms India and the United States’ shared commitment to strengthening strategic defense cooperation and advancing joint operations in humanitarian and disaster relief. This exercise serves as a testament to the robust ties between the two nations and their ability to collaborate effectively in multi-domain scenarios.
