Ex Tiger Triumph 2024: India-US Disaster Response Drill

What is the ‘Tiger Triumph’ Exercise?

The ‘Tiger Triumph’ exercise is a bilateral tri-service exercise between India and the United States that focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The third edition of exercise recently concluded in Kakinada on 31st March, 2024.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness between the armed forces of India and USA by simulating scenarios that require a coordinated response to natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

This helps develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improves the capacity of both nations to work together effectively in such situations.

When and Where was the ‘Tiger Triumph 2024’ Exercise Held?

The ‘Tiger Triumph’ 2024 exercise was held from March 18 to March 31, 2024, in the vicinity of Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, located on the eastern coast of India. This region is prone to natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, making it an ideal setting for an HADR-focused exercise.

All editions of the Exercise Tiger Triumph

EditionYearLocationDatesHighlights
1st2019Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, IndiaNovember 13-21, 2019– First tri-service exercise between India and the US
– Focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations
– Around 1,200 Indian and 500 US military personnel participated
2nd2022Visakhapatnam, IndiaOctober 18-20, 2022– Three-day exercise held at India’s Eastern Naval Command
– More than 50 Armed Forces personnel from both countries participated
3rd2024Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, IndiaMarch 18-31, 2024– Largest and most complex iteration so far
– Emphasis on advancing large-scale joint and combined interoperability for HADR
– Included harbor and sea phases with various drills and exercises

How was the ‘Tiger Triumph’ 2024 Exercise Conducted?

The ‘Tiger Triumph’ exercise was conducted through a range of activities designed to test and improve the capabilities of the participating forces. These activities included:

  • Amphibious operations: Troops and equipment were landed on Kakinada Beach from ships offshore.
  • Establishment of a field hospital: A medical facility was set up to provide care in a simulated disaster scenario.
  • Setting up a camp for displaced persons: A temporary shelter was created to accommodate people affected by the hypothetical disaster.

The exercise involved a diverse array of assets from both countries:

  • Indian forces:
    • Amphibious transport ships
    • Aircraft
    • Personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
    • Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT)
  • United States forces:
    • Ships from the US Navy
    • Embarked troops from the US Marine Corps and US Army
    • Landing craft, hovercraft, and helicopters

Ex Tiger Triumph 2024 is divided into two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.

  • The Harbour Phase, which commenced on Monday, 25th March, 2024, at Visakhapatnam, includes:
    • Communication checks to ensure seamless coordination between the participating forces
    • Personnel from both countries exchanging visits to each other’s ships, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration
  • The Sea Phase, which commenced on 27th March, 2024, at Kakinada, involves:
    • A strategic move to a simulated island country, setting the stage for a series of complex operations
    • Ship-to-shore move, demonstrating the precision and coordination required for amphibious operations
    • Establishing an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, reflecting the commitment of both forces to humanitarian assistance

What is the Significance of the ‘Tiger Triumph’ Exercise?

The ‘Tiger Triumph’ exercise is significant for several reasons:

  1. Enhancing disaster preparedness: By simulating real-world disaster relief scenarios, both nations can refine their HADR capabilities and improve their ability to respond effectively to natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
  2. Strengthening the India-US partnership: The exercise promotes closer military ties between India and the United States, fostering trust and cooperation that can benefit regional security.
  3. Improving interoperability: Through joint training, the two forces can develop a common approach to HADR operations, enabling them to work together seamlessly during a real-world crisis.

What were the Key Highlights of the ‘Tiger Triumph’ Exercise?

The key highlights of the ‘Tiger Triumph’ exercise were the high degree of interoperability demonstrated between the Indian and US forces. This interoperability was evident in the conduct of cross-deck helicopter operations, where helicopters from one country’s navy successfully operated from the ships of the other country’s navy.

They practiced a range of scenarios, including:

  • Initial response to a disaster
  • Provision of medical care to affected populations
  • Setting up shelter for displaced persons
  • Delivering other essential services to disaster-stricken areas

How Does ‘Tiger Triumph’ Enhance India-US Defense Relations?

‘Tiger Triumph’ enhances India-US defense relations in several ways:

  1. Improving interoperability: By enhancing interoperability and familiarity between the armed forces of both countries, ‘Tiger Triumph’ contributes to their ability to jointly address regional security concerns, such as the increased Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
  2. Strengthening defense partnership: The exercise underscores the mutual commitment of India and the US to strengthening their defense relations, not just in terms of military exercises, but also in areas such as defense trade and technology sharing.
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UCN Team

UCN Team: Combining expertise in UPSC Exams and Tech to deliver high-resolution, insightful content for aspiring civil servants

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