Exercise Shakti 2025
The 8th iteration of the Indo-French Joint Military Exercise – Exercise Shakti 2025 — began today, June 19, 2025, in La Cavalerie, France. This is a big step toward improving defense cooperation between the two countries.
The joint exercise officially started with a ceremony attended by high-ranking military officials from both countries. This was another step forward in the strengthening strategic alliance between India 🇮🇳 and France 🇫🇷.
What is the Purpose of Exercise Shakti?
Exercise Shakti is a military simulation that takes place every two years between India and France. Its goal is to improve defense cooperation, understanding, and interoperability between the Indian Army and the French Armed Forces. This year, the drill is back for its eighth time and is being held in France.
The word “Shakti” comes from Sanskrit and means “power” or “strength.” It symbolizes the main goal of the exercise, which is to improve combat preparedness by training together in real-world situations and combining skills.
Goals of Exercise Shakti 2025
The major goal of Exercise Shakti 2025 is to improve the combined operational capabilities of the Indian and French armies when they have to conduct Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in a sub-conventional warfare environment. This means working together with land, air, cyber, and information domains to fight new hybrid threats including insurgency, urban warfare, and asymmetric tactics.
The main aims of the workout are:
- Training soldiers to plan and carry out operations together in counter-terrorism situations.
- Improving tactical interoperability by exchanging best practices, doctrines, and standard operating procedures.
- Cultural and social interactions help people build trust, respect, and friendship with each other.
- Improving coordination in high-pressure combat situations, particularly in places with complicated terrain and a lot of civilians.
Importance in Today’s World of Politics
Joint exercises like Shakti are becoming more and more important as challenges to global security grow more complex and cross borders. India and France, both supporters of maritime security and a rules-based international order, are working together more and more on defense issues in all areas, including land, sea, and air.
This exercise shows that they are both dedicated to keeping peace in the area and across the world, as well as making sure that their troops are always ready to work together to deal with any new threats.
France is now one of India’s most trusted defense allies. Their collaboration includes buying defense equipment, working together to fight terrorism, and having strategic talks.
What to Expect from the Drill?
In the next several days, soldiers from both countries will take part in a number of tactical-level exercises, such as:
- Simulated counter-terrorist operations in areas with a lot of trees and buildings.
- Cordon and search operations, dealing with IEDs, and hostage rescue situations.
- Use of drone-based surveillance and cyber coordination tools.
- Joint mission planning, execution exercises, and after-action reviews to check performance and improve plans.
The participants will also do combined obstacle training, weapon-handling exercises, and interaction sessions that help them understand each other’s cultures better and build team spirit amongst the groups.
Strengthening the Strategic Bond
Exercise Shakti is important for more than just military reasons; it also helps strengthen the ties between people and armies in India and France. Their collaborative involvement shows that they both value democracy, freedom, and respect for each other, and it sets the stage for future partnerships.
Exercise Shakti 2025 is a strong symbol of defense diplomacy, readiness, and unity for both countries as they become ready to deal with the problems of contemporary warfare, from terrorism to cyber threats.
Final Thoughts
Exercise Shakti 2025 is more than simply a military practice; it’s a way for India and France to show that they are dedicated to working together to be ready for everything, do their best work, and keep the world safe.
As the practice goes on at La Cavalerie, it shows once again how strong and growing the connection is between the two great countries.
As the Indo-French forces keep training and working toward a future of shared security and collaboration, stay tuned for more news from the ground.