La Cavalerie [France], June 29 (HBTV): The Indo-French joint military exercise SHAKTI-VIII is currently underway at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, Southern France, with the aim of enhancing operational interoperability and mutual cooperation between the Indian and French Armies.

Ninety personnel from the Indian Army’s Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion are participating alongside their counterparts from the French Army’s 13e Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère. The Indian contingent departed for France on June 17 to participate in the eighth edition of Exercise Shakti, which is scheduled from June 18 to July 1, 2025.

In an official statement, the Indian Army said, ‘The Indian Army contingent has departed today for France to participate in the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, taking place in La Cavalerie, France, from 18 June to 01 July 2025. The exercise will foster synergy and interoperability in the conduct of counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain.’

Exercise Shakti is a biennial military training engagement conducted alternately in India and France. The seventh edition was held in Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 13 to 26, 2024, at a modern Foreign Training Node.

Highlighting the diplomatic and strategic significance of the event, the Ministry of Defence stated, ‘The opening ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area.’

The Indian contingent in 2024 included 90 personnel from a battalion of the Rajput Regiment, with support from other arms and services. Observers from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force also participated. The French contingent was similarly composed of 90 personnel, mainly from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).

The Ministry outlined the broader objectives of Exercise Shakti, stating, ‘The aim is to enhance joint military capability to undertake multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The joint exercise will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.’

Key tactical components being practised include counter-terror operations involving the capture of defined territory, the establishment of a Joint Command Post and an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre, and securing of landing sites. Drills such as Small Team Insertion and Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, and deployment of drones and counter-drone systems are also part of the training.

The Ministry added, ‘Exercise SHAKTI will enable the two sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations. The joint exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between armed forces personnel of the two countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.’

(ANI)