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Ramdas Tambe
Visakhapatnam, India – April 2, 2025 – The opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the Indo-U.S. bilateral joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) amphibious exercise, Tiger TRIUMPH 2025, was held onboard the Indian Navy’s INS Jalashwa (L41) on April 1, 2025. The exercise highlights the deepening maritime strategic partnership between India and the United States, aiming to enhance interoperability and joint operations in large-scale HADR scenarios.
The harbour phase of the exercise, taking place from April 1 to April 7 in Visakhapatnam, focuses on planning and refining operational procedures developed in previous iterations of Tiger TRIUMPH. This phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) events covering special operations, emergency medical response, and multi-domain operations across air, maritime, cyber, and space sectors. Additionally, sports engagements and cultural visits will foster camaraderie and strengthen personal relationships among personnel.
The sea phase, scheduled from April 8 to April 12, will feature joint training for maritime, amphibious, and HADR operations. The exercises will culminate in the establishment of a joint humanitarian relief and medical response camp following an amphibious landing at Kakinada. Participating Indian Navy units include the Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa, the guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai (D62), a Magar-class amphibious assault ship, the Deepak-class fleet tanker INS Shakti (A57), PBI Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, and Hawk aircraft. The Indian Army is represented by an Infantry Battalion Group, including Mechanised Forces and Special Operations Forces from all three services, with cyber and space specialists also involved. The Indian Air Force will showcase its C-130, Mi-17 V5, and air-portable BHISMA medical equipment.
The U.S. Task Force includes the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), carrying U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Other participants include the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), a Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft, as well as contributions from the U.S. Space Force and Air Force, including subject matter experts and a C-130J aircraft. The U.S. Army is represented by a platoon, a medical unit, a Civil-Military Operations Center, and a Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell.
Tiger TRIUMPH 2025 underscores the commitment of both nations to regional stability and humanitarian cooperation. The exercise continues to strengthen bilateral ties, ensuring enhanced preparedness for future disaster response and maritime security challenges.
