The fifth edition of the India-US bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise Tiger Triumph 2026 concluded with a closing ceremony in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Conducted from October 31 to November 5, the exercise involved personnel from the armed forces of both countries and focused on enhancing interoperability and strengthening mutual understanding in planning and conducting joint HADR operations, with particular emphasis on combined amphibious operations.
The exercise comprised a Staff Exercise (STAFFEX) and a Tabletop Exercise (TTX).
The STAFFEX included operational planning, academic lectures and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) on contemporary areas such as cyberspace and medical operations. These sessions facilitated the exchange of professional expertise and best practices between the participating forces.
The TTX provided an opportunity for the forces to apply the concepts and plans developed during the STAFFEX in a simulated operational environment. It also helped develop a common understanding of operational challenges and coordination mechanisms for joint HADR missions.
The closing ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, along with senior officers and dignitaries from both countries.
First conducted in 2019, Exercise Tiger Triumph aims to strengthen operational coordination and bilateral defence cooperation between India and the United States.
The successful completion of the 2026 edition reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities and promoting peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
-PIB
