The Indian Army has deployed a 90-member contingent to Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, France, to participate in the eighth edition of the biennial joint military exercise Shakti, scheduled from June 18 to July 1, 2025. The Indian team is represented primarily by a battalion from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, with additional personnel from other arms and services. They will train alongside 90 troops from France’s 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).
The exercise is designed to deepen operational coordination and boost bilateral military engagement through training in semi-urban environments. It focuses on joint operations in sub-conventional conflict scenarios under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The sessions aim to refine tactical drills, exchange best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and enhance physical endurance and interoperability between the two professional forces.
Both contingents will engage in exercises involving next-generation combat technologies, with an emphasis on building mutual trust and professional camaraderie. Shakti-VIII reflects growing defense cooperation between India and France and reinforces their shared commitment to global peace and strategic stability. The exercise represents a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing readiness to respond to evolving security challenges.
