On June 18, Shakti 2025 the 8th edition of the Indo-French joint military exercise initiated its practice at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, located in Southern France. The multilateral week-to-week exercise between India and France that has taken place since 2001 and is scheduled to end on July 1 is a main aspect of the emerging defense relationship between the two countries. In the exercise, 90 units of troops are to be deployed by each side with the exercise targeting joint operations within a semi-urban and sub- conventional arena under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter in regard to counter-terrorism, peace enforcement and interoperability.
The Framework and Objectives of Shakti 2025
Joint Training in a Complex Operational Environment
The Shakti 2025 is a simulation of the real-life situations where the UN peacekeeping forces are arraigned under the UN Charter chapter VII that enables enforcing measures to reinstate peace and security. Training is conducted within semi-urban terrain, setting it in context with the challenges of contemporary sub-conventional warfare, including urban warfare, fighting against terrorists and implementing peace enforcement operations.
The Indian group is made up of mainly the Jammu and Kashmir Rifle troops and with their experience of operations in such a background as that of the area where a counter-insurgency is an aspect, as well as the mountainous terrain. On the French part, the 90 troops are the members of the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13 DBLE), a highly skilled and experienced overseas operations group. The forces jointly participate in interoperability exercises which serve the purpose of improving the ability to coordinate, communicate and operate together.
Enhancing Operational Preparedness and Mutual Understanding
Enhancing tactical cooperation and building mutual trust between the two armies are the goals of the exercise. By exchanging operational ideas and best practices, the soldiers improve their capacity to collaborate effectively on missions. “Exercise SHAKTI-VIII would not only enhance the operational preparedness of both armies but also contribute significantly to the growing Indo-French defense partnership,” said Brigadier Veeresh Thapar, India’s Military AttachĂ© to France, at the inaugural ceremony.
Exercise #Shakti 2025
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 19, 2025
The 8th Edition of Joint Military Exercise #Shakti between #India🇮🇳 & #France🇫🇷 commenced today in #LaCavalerie, #France, after a formal opening ceremony. The exercise aims to enhance the joint operational capabilities of both the armies in execution of… pic.twitter.com/mHXlPH5ehT
Colonel Benjamin Brunet, Commander of the French 13 DBLE, reiterated this sentiment, stressing the value of fostering greater trust and collaboration through these kinds of interactions. Additionally, the exercise provides a forum for reinforcing both nations’ common commitment to world security, peace, and stability.
Historical and Strategic Context
A Longstanding Partnership with Growing Importance
Exercise Shakti is a bilateral exercise between India and France initiated in the year 2005 as a bi-annual exercise. Switching between the two nations, it has turned into an advanced training ground devoted to dealing with modern security concerns. The upcoming 2025 scenario is no different and the plan is to concentrate on a somewhat realistic situation that would address the requirements and operational needs of both armies.
In addition to Shakti, India and France have other joint exercises including naval exercise Varuna and air exercise Garuda and this exemplifies a multi faceted integrative defense relationship. This is a straightforward collaboration that has highlighted the strategic value that the two nations have over their bilateral relationship.
The Answer to a Changing Global Security Landscape
The world military spending in 2025 was estimated to be the level of $2.4 trillion to reflect the tensions in military expenditures as well as the necessity to have the entrance of more advanced militaries. India, which ranks fourth in military expenditures in the world, is still modernizing its troops and growing international affiliations. France, as the important actor in European and Indo-Pacific security, sees this collaboration as the essential one to solve common problems.
The operational set up covered in the exercise, dealing with UN Chapter VII operations, falls in line with the general international interest in peace enforcement and counter-terrorism operations where both India and France have had considerable experience and interest in these operations.
Leadership and Troop Contributions
Indian Contingent: Experience from Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Indian Army involvement is spearheaded by one of the battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, which specializes in counter-insurgency and mountain warfare. The 90-man contingent is backed by staff of other arms and services and they have a pile of operational experience that is applicable to the focus of the exercise, sub-conventional warfare.
Colonel HV Kalia who led the Indian contingent, spoke of the importance of joint tactical maneuvers and sharing of knowledge. This is an exercise to build interoperability and coordination of operations with our French counterparts and it is a learning process, he said.
The French Contingent: Elite Abilities of the 13 th Foreign Legion
The French force is composed of 90 soldiers of the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13 DBLE) and this force carries a rich history and has carried out lengthy overseas deployments. The 13 DBLE soldiers are known to be very accommodative and professional, and they will add elite functions to the exercise.
Colonel Benjamin Brunet stated that he was sure that the exercise was going to promote more military cooperation and trust. This collaboration in Shakti demonstrates the interest of France in further development of the relations with India and improvement of operational preparedness, he told the opening ceremony.
Operational Highlights and Training Focus
Joint Tactical Drills and Scenario-Based Training
During the 15-day exercise, the Indian and French forces will undertake a realm of tactical exercises that aim at simulating peace enforcing and counter-terrorism operations in the semi-urban terrain. These drills provide the test of real-world aspects of communication, coordination and decision-making.
The emphasis on the sub-conventional warfare makes both armies ready to engage in complicated situations concerning the asymmetric threats, fighting held in the city as well as defending civilians. The training is essential in the promotion of preparedness in UN peace entrenchment operations as well as bilateral peacekeeping operations.
Sharing Best Practices and Building Camaraderie
Shakti 2025 places a strong emphasis on sharing operational insights and best practices in addition to tactical training. The activity promotes candid communication and cross-cultural interaction, strengthening staff bonds and trust.
“The relationships formed during this exercise will strengthen our ability to operate together in future missions and contribute to regional and global security,”
said Brigadier Veeresh Thapar.
Broader Implications for Indo-French Defense Relations
Deepening Bilateral Military Cooperation
Shakti 2025 is a sheer example of increasing defense collaborations between India and France. The exercise is a supplement to other bilateral efforts and strengthens a relationship of naval, air and land packages.
The interoperability and trust that are built during such activity have increased, thus making the two countries strategic partners in ensuring that the region remains stable and secure.
Regional Security and International Security
India and France are devoted to their respective regions and the world at large in the aspect of peace and stability. The peace enforcement and counter-terrorism have been paramount in the exercise as countries are also interested in the good practice of the UN Chapter VII operations.
Through their joint training, the two armies are better placed to collectively respond to emergencies, be supportive during peacekeeping operations, and play any role in the system of international security.
Indo-French Exercise Shakti 2025 is not just a regular run-of-the-mill military exercise. It is an important medium of improving strategic military relations, operational readiness, and nurturing mutual understanding between two like-minded democracies.
The exercise fosters the confidence and interoperability necessary for contemporary joint operations, with soldiers from the elite 13th Foreign Legion and the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles collaborating side by side. Shakti 2025 “would not only enhance the operational preparedness of both armies but also contribute significantly to the growing Indo-French defense partnership,” as Brigadier Veeresh Thapar so eloquently put it.
Such collaboration is essential in a world with complicated security issues and changing geopolitical dynamics. Shakti 2025 lays the groundwork for future cooperation between France and India by restating their shared commitment to world security, peace, and stability.
