Troops of Indian Army and French Army during Exercise Shakti (Photo: Indian Army)
New Delhi: The militaries of India and France have concluded their two-week bilateral exercise Shakti – VIII at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in France, aimed at enhancing interoperability, operational coordination, and military-to-military connect to deal with various security challenges.
The exercise, which was began on June 8, witnessed the participation of around 50 armoured and tactical vehicles, among others at Aveyron in Monclar district, and in Herault, France.
The Indian contingent of 90 personnel primarily comprises a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles besides personnel from other arms and services, while more than 500 legionnaires and military personnel from various units of the French Army, the Foreign Legion, as well as the French Air and Space Force, and the French Navy participated in the exercise.
The 2025 edition of the exercise focused on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in semi-urban terrain.
An Indian Army official said that the drill marked the successful completion of an intensive training engagement aimed at enhancing interoperability, mutual trust, and tactical coordination between the Indian and French Armies.
The engagement between the armies of both nations also included combat shooting, urban warfare training, obstacle crossings, Electronic Warfare (EW) integration, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) operations.
A major highlight was the successful execution of a 96-hour continuous field exercise, simulating multi-domain scenarios in complex operational environments.
The phase tested the endurance, planning proficiency, and joint decision-making capabilities of both contingents under realistic and high-pressure conditions.
The Indian Ambassador to France, Mr. Sanjeev Singla, visited the troops during the exercise and commended their professionalism and contribution to strengthening defence ties between the two nations.
Exercise Shakti-VIII stands as a testament to the growing strategic convergence between India and France. It has not only facilitated the exchange of tactical knowledge and operational best practices but has also reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries towards regional stability, collective security, and defence cooperation.
