First Indian & US Special Forces Exercise ‘Tiger Claw’ Concludes

The first-ever joint military exercise, “Tiger Claw”, between the Special Forces of the Indian Air Force and the United States Air Force successfully concluded at the Garud Regimental Training Centre. The Special Force of the indian Air Force is also known as Garuda. The Tiger Claw exercise was held across North India from 26 May to 10 June 2025. 

About The Tiger Claw Exercise

The Indian Armed Forces' three wings—Army, Navy, and Air Force—have their separate Special Forces, which are popularly known as commando forces.

Exercise Vajra Prahar is conducted between the Indian Army’s Special Forces and the United States' Special Forces.

Exercise Sangam- It is conducted between the Special Forces of the Indian Navy- Marine Commando Forces (MARCOs) and the U.S. Navy’s Special Forces - SEALs..

The Tiger Claw exercise involved the Special Forces of the Indian Air Forces, called Garud, and the United States Air Force Special Forces.

This is the first such exercise involving the Special Forces of the two countries' Air Forces.

Aim of the Tiger Claw Exercise 

The main objective of the exercise was to expand the partnership, mutually exchange best practices in Special Operations, and conduct joint training between the two Air Forces to develop interoperability.

About Garud Regimental Training Centre

The Indian Air Force Special Forces Garud was raised in Feburary 2004.

The main functions of the Garud are;

• Protect the bases of the Indian Air Force and its key assets, especially in the border area.
• Like a commando force, they are trained to sabotage, hinder, or destroy enemy war capabilities, operating behind enemy lines.

Training center 

• The Indian Air Force Set up a dedicated training centre for its Special Force in 2003.
• The Garud Regimental Training Centre was established at the Indian Air Force Station, Chandinagar, in the Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh.

History of India-US military exercise 

India conducts the maximum number of bilateral military exercises with the United States of America.

The first bilateral exercise between the two countries started in 2002.

Military exercises are part of a country's broader diplomacy to strengthen and deepen defence ties with friendly countries. They are conducted only with a country considered friendly, not with an enemy country. India does not conduct any military exercises with Pakistan or China.

Following is the list of the bilateral military exercises between the Indian and the American armed forces.

Bilateral Army Exercise 

Yudh Abhyas

• First in 2002 at Agra (India).
• It is held alternately in India and the United States. 
• In 2024, it was held in  Rajasthan, from 9-22 September 2024.

Vajra Prahar (Army Special Forces)

• First in  2010. 
• Held alternatively in india and the United States
• Special Forces of the Indian Army and the United States Army take part.
• It focuses on jungle warfare and counterinsurgency.
• The 5th edition was held in November 2024 in the United States of America.

Bilateral Air Force Exercise

Cope India

• First, in 2004
• Fighter jet training exercise between the two Air Forces.
• Relaunched in 2018.
• 6h edition was held in April 2023 at Indian Air Force Stations  Panagarh,  Kalaikunda, and Agra.

Exercise Tiger Claw (Special Forces)

• First- 2025, held in India from 26 May to 10 June 2025.
• Indian Air Force Garud and United States Air Force Special Forces participated.

Bilateral Naval Exercise 

Exercise Sangam

• First edition -1994.
• Naval Special Forces exercise. 
• Marine Commando Forces (MARCOs) of the Indian Navy and the U.S. Navy SEALs participate. 
• The 8th edition was held at Goa in October-December 2023

Tri-Service exercise 

Tiger TRIUMPH 

• Tiger TRIUMPH or Tri-Services India U.S. Amphibious Exercises involve all three wings of the Indian and the American Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• First, in 2019, in the Bay of Bengal
• The 4th edition was held off the coast of Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal from 1 -13 April 2025.

Special Exercise 

Exercise Tarkash 

• Focused on counter-terrorism.
• The National Security Guard (NSG) of India conducts exercises with the United States Special Forces. 
• The seventh edition of the Exercise Tarkash was held in Kolkata, West Bengal, in May 2024.

Also Read: 4th Indo-US Tri-service Tiger Triumph 2025 starts at Visakhapatnam