In News:

• India and the United States have commenced the fourth edition of their major tri-service military exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ in the Bay of Bengal, beginning April 1, 2025.
• The two-week-long drill focuses on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and crisis response, marking a significant step in the growing strategic defence partnership between the two nations.

Key Objectives:

• Enhance interoperability between the Indian and U.S. armed forces for joint HADR operations.
• Formulate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for establishing a Combined Coordination Centre (CCC) for joint response during natural disasters and contingency operations.
• Conduct massive maritime and amphibious operations off the coast of Kakinada, following a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.

Participating Forces and Assets:

India:

• Indian Navy:
  • Ships: INS Jalashwa, INS Gharial, INS Mumbai, and INS Shakti
  • Aircraft: P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft
  • Support: Integral helicopters and landing crafts
• Indian Army:
  • Troops from 91 Infantry Brigade
  • 12 Mechanised Infantry Battalion
• Indian Air Force (IAF):
  • Aircraft: C-130J ‘Super Hercules’
  • Helicopters: Mi-17
  • Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT)

United States:

• U.S. Navy:
  • USS Comstock (amphibious warship)
  • USS Ralph Johnson (guided-missile destroyer)
• U.S. Marine Corps:
  • Marine division troops onboard naval vessels
  • Medical personnel to collaborate with Indian RAMT

Additional Activities:

• Establishment of a Joint Command and Control Centre at the Kakinada naval enclave by the Indian Army and U.S. Marines.
• Setting up of a Joint Medical Camp for humanitarian aid by IAF, Indian RAMT, and U.S. Navy medical teams.
• Training exchanges, sports events, and social interactions between personnel to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.

Strategic Significance:

Exercise Tiger Triumph is part of the broader India-U.S. defence cooperation, which includes:

• Army exercises:YudhAbhyas, Vajra Prahar
• Naval drills:Malabar Exercise (with Australia and Japan)

The growing frequency and complexity of such joint drills underline the strategic convergence between India and the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in strengthening maritime security and disaster response mechanisms.