Paris: The ongoing Indo-French Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI-VIII, held at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in southern France, has emerged as a robust demonstration of tactical excellence, operational coordination, and strategic trust between the Indian Army and the French Armed Forces.
The exercise features the active participation of 90 personnel from each country, with the Indian side represented primarily by troops from a Jammu & Kashmir Rifles battalion, and the French by the 13e Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère.
Multi-Domain Tactical Proficiency
SHAKTI-VIII is tailored to sub-conventional warfare and includes a broad array of realistic, mission-specific drills:
- Combat shooting in semi-developed terrain
- Obstacle crossings and urban combat drills
- Joint patrols and troop insertion techniques
- 96-hour high-intensity field operation, simulating multi-domain scenarios
The exercise tested decision-making, endurance, and command coordination, offering critical insights into joint mission execution under stress, promoting tactical flexibility and inter-force integration.
Modern Warfare Modules: EW & C-UAS
Specialist detachments from both sides conducted advanced sessions in:
- Electronic Warfare (EW)
- Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS)
These included signal interception, jamming, spectrum control, and drone neutralisation, crucial to modern battlefield preparedness and contested electromagnetic operations.
Such integrated drills are aligned with the evolving nature of warfare, sharpening both armies’ ability to counter emerging threats and maintain operational advantage.
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Diplomatic Backing and Strategic Impact
Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, visited the troops and interacted with both contingents. He praised the professionalism of the Indian soldiers and commended the exercise for reinforcing India-France defence cooperation. His visit served as a morale booster and emphasized India’s strategic commitment to deepening bilateral military ties.
Strengthening Defence Diplomacy
The SHAKTI exercise series, held biennially, continues to be a pivotal platform for military-to-military exchange, reinforcing:
- Interoperability
- Operational alignment under UN mandates
- Shared response mechanisms for regional and global security challenges
SHAKTI-VIII builds upon previous iterations to enhance trust, technological exchange, and doctrinal synergy, demonstrating the growing importance of the India–France strategic partnership.
