**Summary:**
An Indian Army contingent departed on June 17, 2025, to participate in the 8th edition of the biennial India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI, held at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France, from June 18 to July 1, 2025. The Indian contingent, consisting of 90 personnel primarily from a Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, will train alongside a French contingent of 90 personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade. Exercise SHAKTI aims to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and military-to-military connections, focusing on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will facilitate the exchange of tactical drills, best practices, and training on new generation equipment and technologies, strengthening strategic ties and defense cooperation between India and France.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's defense.
Indian Army: The land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces.
India-France: Refers to the bilateral relationship between India and France
Exercise SHAKTI: A biennial joint military exercise between the Indian and French armies.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - likely the source of the posted information.
Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France: The location in France where the military exercise is being conducted.
Jammu and Kashmir Rifles: A regiment of the Indian Army.
13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade 13 DBLE: A brigade representing the French contingent in the exercise.
United Nations Charter: The foundational treaty of the United Nations.
France: A country in Europe, and a participant in Exercise SHAKTI.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR
INDIA-FRANCE JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE
SHAKTI
Posted On: 17 JUN 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi
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The Indian Army contingent departed today to participate in 8 edition of the biennial India-French Joint
th
Military Exercise SHAKTI. The exercise will be conducted at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France from 18
st
June 2025 to 1 July 2025.
The Indian contingent comprising of 90 personnel is being represented primarily by a Battalion of
the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles besides personnel from other arms and services. The French
th
contingent comprising of 90 personnel will be represented by personnel from the 13 Foreign
th
Legion Half- Brigade (13 DBLE).
Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial training engagement between the Indian and French Armies, aimed
at enhancing interoperability, operational coordination, and military to military connect. 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.
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._________________________________________________________________
NA/PK
(Release ID: 2136911)