Indo-French army exercise ‘Shakti 2025’ concludes
MILITARY EXERCISE
What is Exercise SHAKTI?
Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial bilateral military exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the French Army, specifically involving elite units such as the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13e DBLE) of France. The primary objective of this joint exercise is to enhance defence cooperation, strengthen operational synergy, and develop mutual trust between the two nations' armed forces. It serves as a platform to exchange best practices in sub-conventional warfare, counter-insurgency, and counter-terrorism operations, particularly in urban and semi-urban settings. The eighth edition of this exercise, known as SHAKTI-VIII, took place from 18 June to 1 July 2025 at the Camp de La Cavalerie, located in the Larzac region of Southern France. This iteration of the exercise marked yet another milestone in the strategic partnership between India and France, showcasing their shared commitment to global peace, military collaboration, and readiness for contemporary security challenges under the framework of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which covers peace enforcement operations.
Composition of the Exercise: Participating Units & Framework
This edition of the exercise featured an impressive representation from both sides. The Indian contingent consisted of 90 personnel, primarily drawn from the highly decorated Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army known for its valour in high-altitude and counter-insurgency operations. These soldiers were accompanied by a team of instructors, planners, and staff officers. On the French side, 90 troops from the famed 13e DBLE participated. The French Foreign Legion is globally respected for its rigorous training, combat effectiveness, and deployment in overseas territories and conflict zones. The exercise was designed to simulate joint operations in semi-urban terrain, emphasizing sub-conventional warfare scenarios that mirror the challenges faced in modern asymmetric conflicts. The structure of the drill aligned with UN mandates for peacekeeping and counter-insurgency missions, particularly focusing on joint response under simulated hostile and volatile conditions.
Detailed Training Modules and Combat Drills
Exercise SHAKTI-VIII was meticulously planned in multiple phases to simulate a wide range of operational challenges.
Phase I (18–21 June 2025) was conducted in the Monclar region of France’s Aveyron district, where both forces participated in initial familiarization sessions. Activities in this phase included joint weapon handling, coordination of command structures, formation-level planning, and integration of communication systems. The goal was to build understanding between the troops and synchronize planning before field deployment.
Phase II (22–26 June 2025) shifted the operations to the Hérault region, where the troops engaged in more intense field-level training. The centerpiece of this phase was the deployment of the Monclar Combined Arms Tactical Group (GTIA) to execute combat scenarios in open and semi-urban terrains, both during day and night. This phase included joint ambush operations, patrol coordination, sniper deployment, building clearance operations, and tactical movement under enemy fire, all structured to resemble real-world urban conflict situations.
A series of specialized combat drills and tactical modules were conducted throughout the exercise, such as:
High-endurance field combat involving a 96-hour continuous mission simulation under combat stress to test troop resilience, adaptability, and joint mission execution under fatigue.
Urban warfare simulations with focus on cordon and search operations, building-to-building clearance, and hostage rescue drills.
Heliborne insertion techniques, counter-IED drills, and combat evacuation procedures.
Electronic warfare (EW) modules, including spectrum dominance, radio signal jamming, and counter-drone tactics—critical for modern multi-domain battlefields.
Counter-UAS operations, where troops used detection and neutralization technologies against hostile drones, simulating drone warfare scenarios increasingly seen in global conflict zones.
Joint firing drills, tactical obstacle course navigation, and live combat shooting in simulated combat zones with semi-developed infrastructure.
Recreational events such as tug-of-war matches, sporting activities, and social interactions also took place to foster camaraderie, trust-building, and cross-cultural understanding between the soldiers of both nations.
Strategic Importance and Military Diplomacy
Exercise SHAKTI is far more than a tactical military drill. It embodies the growing strategic depth between India and France, two major global democracies with increasing convergence on defence cooperation, Indo-Pacific strategy, and global peacekeeping.
This year’s edition played a crucial role in boosting interoperability, enabling both forces to understand each other's doctrinal approach, communication protocols, command hierarchies, and tactical decision-making. With the use of modern tools like geo-spatial intelligence, battlefield surveillance systems, and real-time data sharing, both armies practiced integrated operations that could be replicated in real conflict scenarios.
SHAKTI-VIII also reflects the broader India-France defence partnership, which includes regular naval drills like VARUNA, air exercises like GARUDA, and frequent cooperation in space, cyber defence, and maritime security. Additionally, the exercise holds importance as both countries are engaged in peacekeeping roles under the UN, and this joint experience enhances their preparedness for multinational missions.
The presence of senior Indian Army officials and India’s Ambassador to France during key events of the exercise underlined the diplomatic significance of this engagement. It also boosted the morale of participating troops and reinforced the intent to strengthen bilateral defence ties through consistent military-to-military exchanges.
Conclusion and Strategic Legacy
The successful completion of Exercise SHAKTI-VIII on 1 July 2025 marked another milestone in Indo-French defence cooperation. The closing ceremony highlighted the achievements of the joint teams and commended the synergy displayed by the troops across all phases. According to official sources, the exercise involved over 500 total personnel across various command and support elements, including armoured vehicles, UAVs, and air assets such as transport helicopters and combat drones.
Looking ahead, both India and France have expressed intent to expand the scope of future SHAKTI exercises, including larger-scale deployments, integrated tri-service participation (Army-Navy-Air Force), and greater involvement in AI-enabled warfare simulations, cyber warfare, and space domain operations. Preparations for SHAKTI-IX, scheduled for 2026 and to be hosted in India, are already underway, with planners indicating a shift toward mountain warfare and desert strike coordination, reflecting terrain-specific specializations of the two armies.
Final Thoughts
Exercise SHAKTI-VIII (2025) successfully showcased the professional excellence, strategic coordination, and mutual respect between the Indian and French armed forces. Beyond technical drills, it symbolized a growing partnership rooted in democratic values, shared security concerns, and a joint commitment to global peace and regional stability. As the nature of warfare evolves with the introduction of cyber threats, drones, and asymmetric combat, such joint exercises not only prepare troops for future battles but also reinforce geopolitical alliances that shape the balance of power. The friendship and operational understanding built through SHAKTI-VIII will continue to influence military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategic alignment between the two countries for years to come.
