India and France kicked off the eighth edition of their biennial joint military exercise, SHAKTI, at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France on June 18, 2025. The exercise, which is set to run until July 1, is a key component of the strategic defense partnership between the two countries, aimed at boosting military cooperation, interoperability, and joint readiness in complex operational environments.
The Indian Army contingent, primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, departed on Tuesday (June 17) and are to engage in counter-terrorism and peace enforcement training alongside France’s 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).
What is Exercise Shakti and what makes the 2025 edition significant?
Exercise Shakti is a biennial joint training exercise between the Indian and French Armies that focuses on enhancing interoperability and operational coordination. First conducted in 2011, it has evolved into a key pillar of Indo-French military ties.
The 2025 edition is particularly significant for its emphasis on Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows military operations for peace enforcement and stabilisation. Training under this framework prepares troops for UN-mandated missions involving armed intervention to protect civilians or restore order in conflict zones.
Moreover, the exercise is being conducted in semi-urban terrain, reflecting the changing character of modern military operations, which often unfold in densely populated, civilian-heavy environments.
Which Army battalions are participating from both sides?
Both armies have deployed 90 personnel each:
From India: Primarily a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services.
From France: Soldiers from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade, a unit with extensive experience in peacekeeping and counter-insurgency operations.
The contingents will engage in:
- Tactical drills focused on sub-conventional operations (non-traditional warfighting like counter-terrorism)
- Sharing best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)
- Training on new-generation equipment
- Physical endurance exercises
- Coordination in semi-urban operations, including simulated hostage rescue, IED detection, and civilian protection
The emphasis is on preparing soldiers for joint deployment in high-risk environments under UN peace enforcement mandates.
What are some other bilateral exercises India and France hold?
Exercise Shakti is part of a larger framework of tri-service military cooperation between India and France. Other major joint exercises include:
- Exercise Varuna (naval)
- Exercise Garuda (air force)
- Exercise Desert Knight (air force)
These engagements reflect a deepening strategic convergence, especially as both nations seek to play larger roles in global peacekeeping, Indo-Pacific security, and counter-terrorism.
Exercise Shakti, in particular, enables ground forces to coordinate during real-world missions, such as UN deployments in Africa or post-conflict stabilisation efforts. It also helps build trust and camaraderie, essential for future joint operations.