New Delhi: A joint exercise between the militaries of India and France, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and focused on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment, began on Thursday, officials said.
The eighth edition of the biennial Indo-French ‘Exercise Shakti’ commenced at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in France.
The Indian Army contingent, comprising 90 personnel, is primarily represented by a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services.
The French contingent, comprising 90 personnel, will be represented by personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE),” the official document said.
Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial training engagement between the Indian and French armies, aimed at enhancing interoperability, operational coordination, and military-to-military connections.
This edition will focus on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in semi-urban terrain, it added.
The exercise will provide a platform for both contingents to rehearse and refine tactical drills, share best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), train on new generation equipment (contemporary military technologies) and strengthen physical endurance. It will also foster esprit de corps, mutual respect, and professional camaraderie between the two armies.
Exercise SHAKTI-VIII underscores the growing defence cooperation between India and France and will strengthen strategic ties between the two friendly nations, it added.
