US & India Conduct Joint Amphibious War Preparation Ops in Pacific

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…”

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