What is ‘Exercise Tiger Claw’? The maiden Special Forces drill between India, US to boost interoperability

In a landmark move aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and operational synergy, India and the United States successfully conducted their first independent Special Forces exercise, ‘Tiger Claw.’ Held across various locations in northern India from May 26 to June 10, the joint exercise brought together elite personnel from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) in a major step towards bolstering tactical coordination and trust.

According to the IAF, the operation concluded at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), the training base for India’s Garud Commandos, situated at Air Force Station Chandinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The drill was focused on building interoperability through a mutual exchange of special operations tactics and best practices.

“The exercise objectives included expanding partnership, mutual exchange of best practices in Special Operations, and joint training between the two Air Forces to develop interoperability,” the IAF said in a statement.

Strengthening special forces ties

Over the course of the two-week programme, American and Indian commandos participated in joint missions and intensive combat drills designed to align both forces on operational planning, execution, and command structures. The symbolic name “Tiger Claw” draws from the tiger’s revered image as a creature of power and precision—traits reflected in the strategic intent behind the exercise.

While India and the US have long engaged in joint air drills such as Cope India, Tarang Shakti, and Red Flag, Tiger Claw marks a distinct moment as the first independent Special Forces-focused operation between their air forces. It reaffirms growing defence synergy, especially in the Indo-Pacific theatre.

Future of joint special ops

The exercise also ties into India’s wider efforts to integrate its Special Forces under a unified command. The Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), approved in 2019, is envisioned as a tri-service unit comprising commandos from the Army’s Parachute Regiment, the Navy’s MARCOS, and the IAF’s Garud Commandos. The division, expected to be based in Agra, is currently undergoing operational refinement through simulation drills and integrated training modules.

According to New India Express, sources said that while commando integration exercises are underway to standardise procedures, “given the sensitivity and significance of the Special Forces, it will take some time to reach a highly specialised level.”

Special Forces are tasked with neutralising high-value targets with secrecy and speed, both domestically and abroad. ‘Exercise Tiger Claw’ represents a critical step forward in aligning elite units of two strategic partners, ensuring they can act together with speed and precision when needed.