Tiger Triumph 2025 saw the culmination of joint drills between Indian and U.S. forces, featuring a large-scale amphibious landing on the beaches of Kakinada, India. The exercise, which focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, laid the groundwork for more intensive military exercises between the two nations in the coming years.
The exercise, which involved Indian Army’s 91st Infantry Brigade, the U.S. Army’s Alaskan-based 11th Airborne Division, and U.S. Marines, lasted for two weeks and included several key drills and coordination exercises.
During the amphibious landing, Marine Corps LAV-25s and Indian Army BMP-2s practiced securing the beachhead, simulating a disaster response. Additionally, C-130s from both the Indian and U.S. Air Forces conducted simulated supply drops, while ground teams set up field hospitals and supply points for humanitarian missions.
Rear Admiral Greg Newkirk, Commander of Task Force 70, emphasized the successful coordination achieved during the exercises. He highlighted the growing integration between the Indian and U.S. forces and their commitment to interoperability and effective command-and-control systems.
The drills also featured the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), INS Mumbai (D62), INS Gharial (L23), and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. For the first time, Task Force 59—a U.S. Navy unit specializing in unmanned surface vessels—also participated in exchanges with Indian forces.
The U.S. Space Forces-Indo-Pacific took part in discussions about using satellite data in military operations. This exchange is expected to contribute to future exercises, particularly Tiger Triumph 2026.
Tiger Triumph 2025 marks the fourth iteration of the bilateral exercise series that began in 2019 and has grown into a key component of the U.S.-India defense relationship, especially amid the increasing presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region.