The 4th edition of the India-U.S. tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, Tiger Triumph 2025, concluded today with a formal closing ceremony onboard the USS Comstock at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) base in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The event marked the successful culmination of a two-week joint exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination between the two nations’ armed forces in disaster response and amphibious operations.
The closing ceremony was attended by Commanding Officers and Operations Teams from all participating units of the Indian Navy, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and other elements of both countries’ military forces. Personnel from the Indian Navy, dressed in their crisp white uniforms, stood alongside U.S. counterparts in tan, symbolizing the strong partnership fostered through this exercise. The Eastern Naval Command shared on X that all participants agreed this edition of Tiger Triumph 2025 significantly enhanced “synergy between the two navies and all other participating elements,” further solidifying the India-U.S. defence collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ceremony took place under a canopy with a red carpet, set against the backdrop of the USS Comstock, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship known for its historical significance as the first U.S. Navy combatant ship to have a fully integrated male and female crew. The ship, equipped with cranes and a shallow draft, is designed for amphibious operations, making it an ideal platform for such joint exercises. The event featured speeches delivered at a podium, with both Indian and U.S. officers reflecting on the outcomes of the exercise, which began on April 1, 2025.
Tiger Triumph 2025 was conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase from April 1 to 7, which involved planning and coordination for joint operations, and the Sea Phase from April 8 to 12, where the forces executed large-scale HADR scenarios at sea. The exercise, which builds on its previous iteration held in Visakhapatnam in March 2024, reflects the deepening strategic maritime interests and defense partnership between India and the U.S., as noted in a joint statement by the U.S. side during the exercise’s launch. The Indian Navy deployed INS Jalashwa, an Austin-class amphibious transport ship previously 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 event underscores the shared commitment of both nations to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, as highlighted by the U.S. Department of Defense’s focus on working with allies to uphold international rules and norms. The Eastern Naval Command bid farewell to their U.S. counterparts with a message of “Au revoir.. till we cross paths again,” accompanied by wishes of “Fair Winds & Following Seas,” symbolizing the enduring friendship and future collaborations between the two navies.
This exercise not only strengthened operational coordination but also reinforced the broader India-U.S. friendship, with both sides looking forward to continued military cooperation in the region.
