The U.S. and Indian armed forces have launched the third iteration of Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH. This joint exercise, which stands for Tri-Services India U.S. Amphibious Exercise, is proof to the growing military cooperation between the two nations.
According to a press release transcript, where the Rear Adm. Joaquin Martinez, commander of the U.S. Joint Force for Tiger TRIUMPH said;
“Tiger TRIUMPH provides an opportunity for combined and joint U.S. and Indian forces to deepen partnership and interoperability to work together in the region.”
The Amphibious exercises are complex operations that require meticulous planning and execution. They are designed to project power from the sea onto hostile shores, combining naval and land warfare capabilities. The ability to conduct such operations is a hallmark of a blue-water navy – a maritime force capable of operating globally, far from its home bases.
On March 18, 2024, the exercise began with an opening ceremony- the arrival of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25). This USS Somerset is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the U.S. Navy. This opening ceremony was held aboard the Austin-class amphibious transport dock INS Jalashwa (L41), formerly known as the USS Trenton. The INS Jalashwa is an amphibious transport dock currently in service with the Indian Navy. It was procured from the United States by India for USD 48 million and was commissioned on 22 June 2007.
During a recent press conference, the U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the close friendship and shared thinking between the two nations. He said; “First and foremost, our message is to one another that we are close friends that think alike, that feel alike; now the question is can we move alike, can we integrate two different, great militaries seamlessly, in times of emergency, act hand in hand, join hands together…”
Warrior video: US Navy & Congress Seek More Amphibious Assault Ships
Ambassador Eric further said that the relationship between the US and India has deepened since 2019.
Interestingly, the Tiger Triumph 2024 exercise sends a strong message of solidarity and strategic alignment between the U.S. and India. It demonstrates the willingness of both nations to jointly address regional challenges and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The presence of high-level assets and personnel also signals a mutual commitment to defense cooperation and the sharing of military best practices
Subsequently, this year’s exercise will focus on advancing large-scale joint and combined interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The forces will also work through standard operating procedures (SOP) between the combined and joint forces. The exercise will include a harbor phase followed by a sea phase where U.S. and Indian forces will practice combined operational maneuver, command and control, and joint sustainment operations.
The U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations as it employs 50 to 70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 is a significant step in strengthening the military cooperation between the U.S. and India. It not only enhances the interoperability of the two forces but also sends a strong message of unity and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The success of Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 will be measured by the degree to which the U.S. and Indian forces can integrate their capabilities and operate as a cohesive unit. As both nations continue to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century geopolitical landscape, exercises like Tiger TRIUMPH serve as a reminder of the power of collaboration and the enduring value of strategic partnerships
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a researcher, writer and analyst who has written many nonfiction books, He has master’s degree from Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria. He also works as a web content writer with the International Lean Six Sigma Institute, UK
