The recent conclusion of the 4th edition of the India-U.S. tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, known as Tiger Triumph 2025, took place onboard the USS Comstock at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) base in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This two-week joint exercise was designed to enhance interoperability and coordination between the armed forces of both nations in response to disasters and for conducting amphibious operations.
The formal closing ceremony was attended by Commanding Officers and Operations Teams from all participating military units, comprising members of the Indian Navy, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, along with other elements from both countries’ armed forces. Attendees included personnel from the Indian Navy in crisp white uniforms standing next to their U.S. counterparts clad in tan, signifying a robust partnership forged during the exercise. Notably, the Eastern Naval Command expressed on X that this edition of Tiger Triumph 2025 significantly improved synergy between the navies and all participating military units, further strengthening defense collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Set against the historic USS Comstock—a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship notable for being the first U.S. Navy combatant vessel to have a fully integrated male and female crew—the ceremony was a reminder of the ship’s suitability for amphibious operations. The event was marked by speeches at a podium, where both Indian and U.S. officers reflected on the exercise’s positive outcomes, which commenced on April 1, 2025.
Tiger Triumph 2025 unfolded in two distinct phases. The Harbour Phase ran from April 1 to April 7, focusing on the planning and coordination of joint operations. Following that, the Sea Phase took place from April 8 to April 12, where the forces executed large-scale HADR scenarios at sea. This iteration of the exercise built upon the previous one held in March 2024 in Visakhapatnam, underscoring the burgeoning strategic maritime interests and defense partnership between India and the U.S. The Indian Navy’s participation included the deployment of INS Jalashwa, an Austin-class amphibious transport ship formerly known as USS Trenton, while the U.S. contributed the USS Comstock and USS Ralph Johnson, along with troops from the U.S. Marine Division.
The exercise underscored the mutual dedication of both nations to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, aligning with the U.S. Department of Defense’s emphasis on collaboration with allies in upholding international norms and rules. As the Eastern Naval Command bid farewell to their U.S. military counterparts, they conveyed a message of “Au revoir… till we cross paths again,” along with wishes of “Fair Winds & Following Seas,” capturing the spirit of an enduring friendship and future collaborative endeavors between the two navies.
Tiger Triumph 2025 not only fortified operational coordination but also reinforced the broader India-U.S. friendship, with both sides expressing eagerness for continued military cooperation in the region.
