IAF, USAF Sharpen Joint Special Ops Skills in First-Ever Exercise Tiger Claw

Exercise Tiger Claw 2025 marked the first-ever independent Special Forces exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF). The exercise concluded at the Garud Regimental Training Centre, a key hub for India’s air special forces.

Where and when was the exercise held?

The exercise took place across multiple locations in North India between 26 May and 10 June 2025, culminating in a final phase at the Garud Regimental Training Centre.

What were the core objectives of this bilateral exercise?

The primary aim of the exercise was to deepen the strategic partnership between the two air forces through:

• Exchange of best practices in Special Operations
• Enhanced joint training and tactical coordination
• Strengthening interoperability in combat and contingency scenarios

Why does this exercise matter for India-US defence cooperation?

Exercise Tiger Claw 2025 underlines the growing operational synergy between the IAF and USAF in the Special Operations domain. By focusing on realistic mission planning, integrated manoeuvres, and shared training frameworks, the exercise reflects a shared commitment to regional security and joint force readiness.

What are the joint military exercises carried out by the armies and navies of the two countries?

While this is the first such exercise among the air forces of the two countries, the navies of the two countries jointly carry out Exercise Tiger Triumph. In the ongoing year, it was held from April 1–13 off India’s east coast near Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, this tri-service maritime drill focused on amphibious landings, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR), and P‑8, C‑130, landing-craft interoperability—bringing together 3,000 personnel, four ships, and seven aircraft from both nations.

Similarly, the armies of the two countries carry out exercises such as ‘Yudh Abhyas’ and ‘Vajra Prahar’.

The last edition of ‘Yudh Abhyas’ was carried out in September 2024 in Rajasthan and was the 20th iteration of the largest-ever ground-force exercise, featuring live-fire drills and counter‑terrorism tactics between Indian and U.S. armies.

In addition,Vajra Prahar 2024–2025 saw Indian special forces training alongside U.S. Green Berets in desert operations, joint tactical planning, UAV employment, and psychological warfare.

These exercises enhance interoperability across domains from amphibious operations to joint frontline army tactics.