First India–US Special Forces Exercise ‘Tiger Claw 2025’: Key Highlights.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) successfully concluded their first-ever independent Special Forces exercise, ‘Tiger Claw 2025’, marking a significant milestone in bilateral military cooperation and special operations interoperability.

Exercise Overview

• Dates: May 26 – June 10, 2025
• Location: Conducted across various sites in North India, with the final phase at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
• Participants: Elite Garud Commandos (IAF) and USAF Special Tactics Squadron.
• Objective:
  • Enhance interoperability and operational synergy between Indian and US Special Forces.
  • Exchange best practices in special operations.
  • Conduct joint training and combat simulations, including hostage rescue, airfield seizure, and behind-enemy-lines operations.

Significance and Strategic Context

• First Independent Air Force Special Forces Drill: This was the inaugural exclusive Special Forces collaboration between the IAF and USAF, separate from broader joint exercises like Cope India, Tarang Shakti, and Red Flag.
• Strengthening Indo-Pacific Security: The exercise is a part of ongoing efforts to boost Indo-Pacific defense cooperation and enhance Quad-level interoperability.
• Symbolism: The exercise’s name, “Tiger Claw,” evokes strength, precision, and dominance—qualities central to special operations forces.

Key Activities

• Joint training missions and tactical drills
• Combat simulations and operational planning
• Hostage rescue and airfield seizure exercises
• Exchange of special operations tactics and procedures

Broader Impact

• Deepening Strategic Partnership: Reflects the growing convergence of India and the US in defense, especially in special operations and counterterrorism.
• Institutional Exchanges: Builds on existing military cooperation and paves the way for more robust future engagements between the two nations’ armed forces

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