The fifth edition of Tiger Triumph, the India–US bilateral tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, opened at the Maritime Warfare Centre in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
Being conducted as a tabletop exercise this year, Tiger Triumph 2026 aims to strengthen coordination, joint planning and interoperability between the armed forces of both countries during large-scale disaster relief operations.
Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, presided over the opening ceremony.
The exercise will focus on planning and coordination for combined joint all-domain operations in support of HADR missions. According to the release, it reflects the growing India–US defence partnership and convergence of their strategic maritime interests.
The Indian contingent includes Navy specialists from different domains of maritime operations, Army ground forces, Air Force representatives and Special Forces personnel from all three Services.
A National Disaster Response Force team is participating for the first time.
The US contingent comprises specialists from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy, along with personnel specialising in space, cyber, medical services and explosive ordnance disposal.
(PIB)
