U.S. and Indian amphibs departed the eastern Indian port city of Visakhapatnam to begin the last phase of the largest amphibious exercise held between the two forces to date.
Tiger TRIUMPH, standing for the Tri-Services India U.S. Amphibious Exercise, began in 2019 as Washington and New Delhi strengthened defense, security, and diplomatic ties during a period of border tensions and increased Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
This year’s iteration of the exercise began last Tuesday on the deck of the Indian amphib INS Jalashwa (L41). Formerly the USS Trenton (LPD 14), the Austin-class landing platform dock was procured by India from the U.S. to provide better amphibious capabilities for the Indian Navy to conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Likewise, this year’s Tiger TRIUMPH focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
“This is the largest and most complex Tiger TRIUMPH, and I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to work with our Indian partners as we continue to build on our relationship in order to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. contingent commander, Rear Adm. Joaquin Martinez, said during the exercise’s opening ceremony on Jalashwa.
Compared to other combined U.S.-Indian drills, Tiger TRIUMPH is notable in that it brings together multiple branches from both militaries, making it the most complex exercise between the two countries. Other than the Navy and Marine Corps contributions via USS Somerset (LPD 25), USS Halsey (DDG 97), elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 47, additional assets and personnel from the Army and Air Force are also participating in the exercise.
The Indian contingent draws forces from all branches according to a Ministry of Defence press release. On top of the service’s most capable amphibious vessel, Jalashwa, the Indian Navy also deployed landing ship tanks INS Kesari (L15), and INS Airavat (L24). Other warships, including a missile frigate and patrol vessel, participated in the drills. For the aerial component, maritime patrol, medium-lift, and transport aircraft were deployed by the Indian Air Force and Navy.
Indian Army forces, including special forces elements and an infantry battalion, were seen training alongside U.S. ground forces during the in-port phase of the drills.
From March 18-26, various planning, educational, and goodwill activities occurred in Visakhapatnam under the in-port portion of the exercise. The second half of Tiger TRIUMPH between March 26-31 included the exercise’s cumulative activities, most notably the bilateral deployment of a Command and Control center and a joint relief and medical camp.
In recent years, U.S.-Indian exercises focused on creating interoperability between the two forces. According to a Congressional Research Service report, India “now conducts more exercises and personnel exchanges with the United States than with any other country.”
This progress between the two militaries was highlighted in the opening ceremony by the U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, who called India a “close friend.”
Moreover, as demonstrated in Tiger TRIUMPH 2024, U.S.-Indian drills have become increasingly complex. Earlier this month, U.S. and Indian Coast Guards practiced anti-drone and anti-piracy scenarios in Sea Defenders 2024 off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This exercise mirrored similar situations occurring at the same time in the Red and Arabian Seas.
Alongside increased bilateral exercises with the U.S., India has examined procuring more American equipment to bolster its surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities over the Indian Ocean Region. Some U.S. systems of origin, such as leased MQ-9 drones and P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, have already been utilized by New Delhi in various hotspots and crises around the region.
In February, the State Department approved an almost $4 billion deal for the sale of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardians to India, 15 of which are slated for the Indian Navy under the service’s plans. Meanwhile, last month saw the first Sikorsky MH-60R commissioned into the Indian Naval Air arm.