New Delhi: India and Malaysia have commenced the fifth edition of their bilateral military exercise, ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti – 2025’, at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Conducted from 5 to 18 December 2025, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen counter-terror capabilities, and deepen defence cooperation between the two nations.
The joint training brings together troops from India’s DOGRA Regiment and Malaysia’s 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army, setting the stage for strategic learning, combined operations and advanced tactical coordination.
Background of Harimau Shakti 2025
India and Malaysia share a longstanding defence partnership rooted in shared regional interests, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and strategic stability.
The Harimau Shakti series, launched over a decade ago, is an integral part of this cooperation. Conducted alternately in both countries, the exercise underscores New Delhi’s Act East Policy and Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to strengthening regional security frameworks.
The 2025 edition further builds on previous iterations, aligning with the United Nations’ Chapter VII mandate for Sub Conventional Operations. Both armies aim to upgrade their combined operational readiness in simulated conflict environments that reflect modern-day combat situations.
Key Objectives of Harimau Shakti 2025
The exercise focuses on enhancing joint response capabilities against sub-conventional threats—particularly counter-terrorist operations. The drills are designed to:
Improve Tactical Coordination: Participants will practice cordon and search missions, search-and-destroy operations, heliborne insertions, and hostage-rescue scenarios, enabling troops to coordinate effectively in time-sensitive environments.
Strengthen Combat Skills: Both sides will engage in high-intensity drills including heliport protection, casualty evacuation, and patrolling techniques vital for real-world counter-terror missions.
Integrate Realistic Combat Training Modules: To enhance soldier endurance and adaptability, the exercise also includes:
- Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR)
- Combat Reflex Shooting
- Yoga sessions for mental resilience and physical agility.
Harimau Shakti 2025: A Focus on Interoperability
One of the central objectives of this edition is to ensure greater interoperability between Indian and Malaysian forces. The coordinated drills enable forces to effectively handle joint operations, simulate decision-making under stress, and integrate communication and logistical frameworks.
This joint preparedness is crucial for peacekeeping operations undertaken under the aegis of the United Nations.
Advanced Joint Drills to Counter Modern Threats
Sub-Conventional Operations Training: Modern terrorism involves asymmetric warfare. Harimau Shakti 2025 has been structured to mimic these challenging scenarios, giving troops an opportunity to rehearse:
- Urban warfare tactics
- Counter-insurgency strategies
- Perimeter defence mechanisms
- Helicopter-based troop mobilization
The simulated environment in the deserts of Rajasthan provides an ideal setting for rehearsing operations in extreme climatic and terrain conditions.
Knowledge Exchange and Best Practices
Beyond physical drills, the exercise emphasizes exchange of strategic knowledge, operational philosophies, and combat learnings.
Such interactions deepen understanding, build mutual trust, and refine combined operational doctrine—a crucial element in ensuring smooth functioning during multinational deployments.
This bilateral knowledge sharing also strengthens defence narratives in the Indo-Pacific, where both India and Malaysia are key stakeholders.
Strengthening India–Malaysia Defence Relations
Exercise Harimau Shakti has steadily emerged as a pivotal pillar in India–Malaysia defence relations.
This year’s joint training is expected to contribute significantly towards:
- Enhancing military diplomacy
- Improving operational synergy
- Fostering long-term bilateral trust
- Building a more cohesive strategic partnership in Southeast Asia
As both countries look to navigate emerging global security challenges, Harimau Shakti 2025 stands as a testimony to their commitment to shared peace and stability.
