VISAKHAPATNAM: The fifth edition of the India-US bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise Tiger Triumph 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam on Thursday (November 5), with both countries focusing on improving coordination and cooperation during joint disaster relief operations.
The six-day exercise, held from October 31 to November 5, brought together personnel from the armed forces of India and the United States to strengthen their ability to work together during humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise included a Staff Exercise (STAFFEX) and a Tabletop Exercise (TTX). Both activities focused on improving operational planning, sharing expertise and understanding the challenges involved in carrying out joint disaster relief missions.
During the Staff Exercise, military personnel took part in planning sessions, academic discussions and expert-level exchanges on areas such as cyberspace and medical operations. These sessions allowed the two sides to share their experience and discuss ways to improve their response during emergencies.
The Tabletop Exercise gave participants an opportunity to test the plans developed during the earlier sessions in a simulated situation. It helped them understand how the two forces could coordinate their efforts during large-scale relief operations, particularly those involving amphibious missions.
The closing ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, along with senior military officers from both countries.
The Ministry of Defence said the exercise reflected the growing defence partnership between India and the US and their shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also aimed to improve interoperability, allowing the two forces to work together more effectively during joint operations.
The fifth edition of the exercise also highlighted the importance of closer coordination between the armed forces in responding to natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.
First conducted in 2019, Exercise Tiger Triumph is part of ongoing efforts by India and the US to strengthen military cooperation and improve their joint disaster response capabilities.
(With inputs from media reports)