Major U.S.-Led Military Exercises Around India

Source:  IT

Context: Bangladesh and the United States will conduct three joint exercises (Tiger Lightning, Tiger Shark, Pacific Angel) and launch the RQ-21 UAS program in 2025 to enhance interoperability and regional security.

About Major U.S.-Led Military Exercises Around India:

Exercise Tiger Lightning 2025:

• Host: Bangladesh
• Participants: Bangladesh Army and U.S. Army Pacific
• Aim: Improve readiness for counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, jungle warfare, and medical evacuation.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on counter-K training and rescue drills.
  • Practical simulation-based exercises to boost soldier preparedness.

Exercise Tiger Shark 2025 (Flash Bengal Series):

• Host: Bangladesh
• Participants: Bangladesh Special Warfare Diving and Salvage Unit, Para Commando Brigade, U.S. Special Forces
• Aim: Strengthen maritime security operations and special operations readiness.
• Key Features:
  • Training in patrol boat handling and small-arms marksmanship.
  • Use of U.S. equipment to improve interoperability in crisis response.

Exercise Pacific Angel 2025:

• Host: Bangladesh (4th iteration) and Sri Lanka (largest regional event in 2025)

• Participants: U.S. Pacific Air Forces, Bangladesh Air Force, Sri Lanka Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Maldives Defence Force
• Aim: Enhance disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and aeromedical evacuation capability.
• Key Features:
  • C-130 aircraft airdrop training and air mobility drills.
  • Search & Rescue (SAR), jungle survival, and mass casualty response exercises.
  • Strengthens multi-nation interoperability for regional HADR.

RQ-21 Blackjack UAS Program Launch:

• Location: Bangladesh
• Partners: U.S. Army & Navy with Bangladesh Army/Navy
• Aim: Build indigenous unmanned aerial surveillance capability.
• Key Features:
  • Joint Army-Navy regiment created to operate UAS.
  • Supports maritime domain awareness, border security, and UN peacekeeping missions.