VISAKHAPATNAM, India –
Indian and U.S. armed forces held the opening ceremony to launch this year’s Exercise Tiger Triumph in Visakhapatnam, India, on April 1, 2025.
U.S. Navy units including the landing ship dock USS Comstock (LSD 45), with embarked U.S. Marines, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) are scheduled to participate in the exercise.
“The operations and associated tactics and procedures that we will plan, execute and refine with our Indian partners will greatly expand our joint combined capacity to respond to any crisis,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 70 and the joint U.S. forces participating in the exercise. “Tiger Triumph 25 represents the joint forces of two strategic partners enhancing our shared multi-domain awareness and ability to operate more effectively in those commonly understood domains. This is essential to prepare for any contingency that could emerge.”
This is the fourth time U.S. and Indian forces have come together for Tiger Triumph, a joint India-U.S. amphibious exercise. The exercise will involve approximately 3,000 personnel and at least four ships and seven aircraft from the two countries.
Tiger Triumph 25, which is scheduled to take place over a two-week period, continues the joint and combined forces’ ongoing efforts to improve interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
“The longstanding strategic partnership between India and the United States is based on shared democratic values and convergence of ideas and interests on bilateral, regional and global issues,” said the Indian Navy’s Rear Adm. Susheel Manon, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Fleet. “Tiger Triumph 2025, the fourth edition of this joint exercise is an initiative aimed at furthering our common vision for the Indo-Pacific, specifically dealing with the aspect of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Exercise Tiger Triumph is an integrated and complex exercise, in terms of the number of assets and personnel involved, with a direct joint tri-services flavor.”
Exercise events include subject matter expert exchanges, an amphibious beach landing, and establishment of an emergency medical treatment station at the site. Tiger Triumph 2025 will include the first-ever subject matter expert exchange with U.S. and Indian industry partners, government representatives, and operators focused on applying cutting-edge autonomous capabilities to address critical warfighter needs. This exchange will advance the new U.S.-India Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) announced in February by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi and lays the groundwork toward greater integration of autonomous systems into future U.S.-India exercises.
Also new to Tiger Triumph in 2025 is the introduction of a space element to the exercise, with U.S. Space Force representatives working with Indian counterparts to incorporate satellite technology to enhance force awareness in operational planning and execution.
Service members from U.S. and Indian armed forces will also take part in cultural and athletic events to build personal relationships and camaraderie.
The Comstock and the Ralph Johnson are underway conducting routine operations as part of U.S. 7th Fleet in support of a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Additional U.S. forces participating in the exercise include Navy P-8A Poseidon and Air Force C-130J aircraft, as well as an Army platoon, medical platoon, Civil-Military Operations Center and Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.