Paris: The eighth edition of Exercise SHAKTI, a bilateral military engagement between India and France, concluded this week at Camp Larzac, Southern France, showcasing deepened collaboration and high-level interoperability between the two strategic partners.
Spanning from June 18 to July 1, the exercise involved more than 500 French legionnaires and 90 Indian soldiers, primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, alongside air and naval support from the French Armed Forces. This year’s edition marked a significant upgrade in scale, featuring 50 tactical vehicles, fighter jets, and joint operations in semi-urban terrains.
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Two-Phase War Simulation
The exercise was divided into two operational phases:
- Phase I (June 18–21) in Aveyron (Monclar district) focused on joint marksmanship, command-level coordination, and unit integration drills.
- Phase II (June 22–26) in Herault featured open-field and urban warfare simulations, including day-night operations, strategic patrol insertions, and multi-domain mission rehearsals by the Combined Arms Tactical Group (GTIA).
High-Tech Warfare & Tactical Readiness
The Indian contingent participated in electronic warfare, counter-drone strategies, and real-time communications jamming, training closely with French units under realistic combat conditions. The exercises were designed under the framework of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which deals with threats to peace and acts of aggression.
Officials noted that such drills significantly enhance preparedness for complex global security challenges, especially in counter-terrorism and hybrid warfare scenarios.
Strategic & Diplomatic Relevance
In a statement, the Embassy of France in India reiterated that SHAKTI-2025 stands as a critical platform for both nations to exchange best practices, enhance trust, and refine battlefield doctrines. The regularity of such exercises—alongside Exercise VARUNA (naval) and Exercise GARUDA (air force)—highlights the growing scope of Indo-French defence collaboration.
The 13th Demi-Brigade of the French Foreign Legion, which hosted SHAKTI-2025, had earlier participated in the 2024 edition held in India, symbolising a reciprocal commitment to operational integration.
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A Model for Modern Military Partnerships
An official statement from the Indian Army noted:
“Exercise SHAKTI continues to foster synergy and interoperability between the Indian and French forces in the conduct of counter-terrorism operations.”
The exercise ended on a high note with mutual appreciation, paving the way for more complex, tech-integrated joint military engagements in the future.
