Overview
- Exercise Name: Shakti 2025
- Edition: 8th
- Duration: June 18 – concluded on July 2, 2025
- Location: France
Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security , Defence )
Participants
- France:
- Over 500 personnel
- Units involved:
- French Army
- Foreign Legion
- French Air & Space Force
- French Navy
- India:
- 90 personnel
- Primarily from Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- Also included members from other Indian military services
Significance
- Enhances interoperability between Indian and French forces
- Focus on joint operational preparedness in multi-domain scenarios
- Reinforces the Indo-French strategic defence partnership
- Promotes exchange of tactical knowledge, cultural understanding, and professional military practices
Strategic Relevance
- Part of broader Indo-Pacific cooperation framework
- Aligns with India’s emphasis on bilateral defence diplomacy
- Complements naval (Varuna) and air (Garuda) exercises between the two nations
Conclusion
- Exercise Shakti 2025 reflects growing military synergy and trust between India and France
- Supports India’s goal of being a net security provider in the region
- Adds momentum to India’s Make in India–Defence goals through deeper cooperation with European allies
Major Bilateral Exercises
- Shakti 2025 (India–France): Army exercise in France (June); focused on joint operations; involved J&K Rifles.
- Varuna 2025 (India–France): Naval drill in Arabian Sea (March); featured INS Vikrant & Charles de Gaulle.
- Tiger Triumph 2025 (India–US): Tri-service exercise off Andhra coast (April); joint HADR & amphibious ops.
- Dharma Guardian 2025 (India–Japan): Army drill near Mt. Fuji (Feb–Mar); enhanced counter-terror coordination.
- Cyclone 2025 (India–Egypt): Special forces training in Rajasthan (Feb); desert warfare and tactical ops.
- Nomadic Elephant 2025 (India–Mongolia): Jungle and urban ops.
