Indian, French Armies Sharpen Battlefield Skills at Joint Exercise SHAKTI-VIII

The Indo-French Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI-VIII is currently underway at Camp Larzac in Southern France, further strengthening the operational interoperability and strategic cooperation between the Indian and French Armies.

The ongoing edition of the biennial exercise features the participation of 90 Indian Army personnel, predominantly from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, alongside troops from the French Army’s renowned 13ᵉ Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère (13ᵉ DBLE).

Designed to simulate mission-specific challenges under realistic operational conditions, SHAKTI-VIII is focused on honing sub-conventional warfare skills. Troops from both countries have undertaken intensive training drills, including combat shooting in semi-developed terrain, obstacle crossings, urban warfare simulations, joint patrols, and tactical troop insertion techniques.

In addition to conventional combat exercises, specialist teams have actively engaged in advanced modules of Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) training. These sessions incorporated critical battlefield technologies such as signal interception, spectrum dominance, jamming, and drone neutralisation—strengthening the contingents’ capabilities to operate in contested electromagnetic environments.

A significant highlight of the exercise has been the successful execution of a high-intensity, 96-hour joint field training exercise. This phase simulated multi-domain operations under prolonged, high-pressure scenarios, rigorously testing the endurance, coordination, and decision-making capabilities of both armies. The joint manoeuvres provided invaluable insights into tactical flexibility, joint mission planning, and cross-functional integration at various command levels.

In a morale-boosting gesture, Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, visited the Indian troops during the exercise. He commended their professionalism and underscored the importance of such joint training initiatives in deepening the India-France defence partnership. His interaction with the troops reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to fostering robust military ties with Paris.

Exercise SHAKTI-VIII continues to serve as a crucial platform for the exchange of tactical knowledge, development of integrated combat capabilities, and enhancement of military-to-military trust. As both countries navigate an evolving global security landscape, the exercise underscores the growing convergence in their defence cooperation and shared commitment to regional stability and strategic alignment.

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