Category: Defence & International Relations | Military Cooperation | Indian Current Affairs
Date: June 2025
Published by: IndianCurrentAffairs.com
🌍 Introduction: Strengthening Strategic Defence Cooperation
The 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, a major joint military drill between the Indian and French Armies, has commenced in La Cavalerie, France, from 18 June to 1 July 2025. This high-level engagement is part of a biennial series that symbolizes the growing defence collaboration between the two nations. It focuses on enhancing operational synergy, tactical coordination, and mutual trust.
🎯 Purpose and Strategic Importance
Exercise Shakti 2025 aims to build and enhance:
- Interoperability between the Indian and French forces in real-world combat scenarios
- Tactical expertise in counter-terrorism operations, UN peacekeeping missions, and high-altitude warfare
- Information sharing and operational planning, especially in semi-urban and hybrid warfare conditions
- Readiness for joint humanitarian and disaster response missions
The joint exercise is also aligned with India’s objective to bolster its partnerships with like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific region.
🇮🇳🇫🇷 Composition of the Forces
This year’s drill involves:
- 90 Indian Army personnel from the Rajput Regiment, one of India’s most decorated infantry units
- 90 French Army personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13e DBLE), known for their operational excellence in diverse terrains
Both armies will work in sync to plan and execute coordinated military operations, showcasing their ability to operate under joint command structures.
🛠️ Core Training Modules
The exercise will consist of several practical combat and coordination simulations, such as:
- Cordon and search operations in semi-urban environments
- Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO) involving rapid deployment and extraction
- Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue drills
- Use of drones and counter-UAV systems
- Joint intelligence gathering and analysis drills
- Establishment of integrated communication and command centers
These modules aim to mimic real-life conflict zones and test the forces’ ability to operate under pressure.
🤝 Defence Diplomacy in Action
Exercise Shakti is not just a military drill—it is also a diplomatic tool to:
- Deepen mutual understanding and trust between two leading democratic powers
- Foster long-term collaboration on defence manufacturing, joint R&D, and technology transfers
- Promote shared values of peacekeeping, security, and regional stability
The timing of Shakti 2025 aligns with India and France celebrating 26 years of strategic partnership, adding symbolic weight to this edition.
🕊️ Historical Context
Initiated in 2011, the Shakti exercise series has been conducted alternately in India and France. The previous edition, held in Meghalaya in 2024, saw similar joint exercises in rugged terrain with an emphasis on jungle warfare. Over the years, the scope of the exercise has evolved from basic combat drills to full-fledged multi-domain operations.
✅ Expected Outcomes
By the end of Shakti 2025, both countries expect to:
- Build seamless interoperability in troop deployment and mission planning
- Enhance joint situational awareness and battlefield communication
- Improve readiness for peacekeeping operations under the United Nations mandate
- Develop shared best practices in drone warfare and hybrid conflict scenarios
- Strengthen tactical collaboration in semi-urban and close-quarter combat situations
🇮🇳 Strategic Significance for India
For India, this exercise is a demonstration of its commitment to international defence cooperation and readiness to address regional and global security challenges. It also aligns with India’s vision for a self-reliant and globally integrated defence ecosystem, boosting its standing as a credible regional power.
✍️ Conclusion: Forging Stronger Defence Bonds
The launch of Exercise Shakti 2025 marks a significant milestone in Indo-French military cooperation. It reinforces strategic trust, enhances operational capabilities, and prepares both armies for future joint missions. As both nations continue to invest in defence diplomacy and technological collaboration, the Shakti series will remain a cornerstone of this enduring partnership.
Stay tuned to IndianCurrentAffairs.com for more updates on Exercise Shakti 2025, global defence drills, and India’s strategic military engagements.