An Indian Army contingent left for France to take part in the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, a joint Indo-French military drill on Monday. The exercise will be held in La Cavalerie, France, from June 18 to July 1, 2025.
In an official statement, the Army confirmed the departure. “The Indian Army contingent has departed today for France to participate in the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, taking place in La Cavalerie, France, from 18 June to 01 July 2025. The Exercise will foster synergy and interoperability in the conduct of counter terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain,” the Army said.
Annual Training Alternates Between India and France
Exercise Shakti is an annual bilateral military training that is held alternately in India and France. It aims to strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.
Last year, the 7th edition took place at Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 13 to May 26, 2024. The event was held at a fully modernized Foreign Training Node. According to the Ministry of Defence, “The Opening Ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area.”
2024 Exercise Featured Balanced Participation
The Indian side included 90 personnel, primarily from the Rajput Regiment, along with members from other services. Observers from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force also participated. The French Army contingent, also made up of 90 soldiers, mostly came from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).
Goal: Prepare for Real-World Operations
The Ministry of Defence outlined the larger aim of Exercise Shakti. “Aim of Exercise SHAKTI is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate,” it said.
The 2025 drill will focus on semi-urban and mountainous terrain operations. Both armies will work together to rehearse tactical drills, improve physical fitness, and share combat techniques.
Tactical Skills and Technology Integration
During the exercise, the teams will practice response to terrorist threats, territory control, and the establishment of a Joint Command Post and Intelligence & Surveillance Centre. Other key drills include:
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Small Team Insertion and Extraction
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Special Heliborne Operations
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Cordon and Search Operations
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Drone deployment and anti-drone measures
Strengthening Defence Ties
The Defence Ministry added, “Exercise SHAKTI will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations. The joint exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between armed forces personnel of the two countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.”