First Indo-US military tri-service Drill

New Delhi: The first joint tri-services military exercise between India and the US, the Tiger Triumph, commenced in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday keeping in view their shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and China’s efforts in widening its footprints in the region. The nine-day exercise, being conducted off the coast of Kakinada and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, is aimed at improving interoperability amongst the defence forces of the two countries in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, said officials. US President Donald Trump had announced the exercise during the Howdy Modi event that was held in Texas, Houston in October.

The US has deployed troops from its Third Marine Division as well as the US Navy Ship Germantown in the drill. The Indian Navy has deployed three ships, INS Jalashwa, INS Airavat and INS Sandhayak for the exercise, while the Indian Army has sent troops from the 19 Madras and 7 Guards. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has, on the other hand, deployed Mi-17 choppers and a Rapid Action Medical Team for the drill. The four-day harbour phase of the exercise began at the Vishakhapatnam port on Wednesday that will be followed by the sea-phase off the coast of Kakinada during which various drills will be performed. (IANS)

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