Context: The eighth edition of the India-France Army exercise, ‘Shakti 2025’, that started in June has concluded in France.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Shakti 2025.
India-France Army Exercise: Shakti 2025
- Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial Joint Military Exercise between the Indian and French Armies.
- Aim: To enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and mutual understanding.
- The 2025 edition focuses on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training conducted in semi-urban terrain.
- Specialist detachments from both sides engaged in Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) training, incorporating signal interception, jamming, spectrum control, and drone-neutralisation exercises.
Exercise Shakti boosts joint operational preparedness and reaffirms the shared commitment towards peace, stability, and global security.
India-France Military Exercises:
Exercise Varuna:
- Annual bilateral Naval exercise between India and France. It was first started in 1983, and named Varuna later.
- The joint-exercise is held either in the Indian Ocean or Mediterranean Sea.
- Aim: To improve Indo-French coordination on capabilities like cross-deck operations, replenishment-at-sea, minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare and information sharing.
- It showcases the two nations' commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy.
Exercise FRINJEX:
- The maiden Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army was held in 2023.
- Aim: To enhance inter-operability, coordination and cooperation between both forces at tactical level.
- The scope of the exercise involves establishment and operationalisation of a joint command post to secure an envisaged area for undertaking joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, establishing an Internally Displaced Population (IDP) camp and move of disaster relief material.
Exercise Tarang Shakti:
- It is a biennial multinational air combat exercise hosted by Indian Air Force.
- Aim: To showcase India's military capabilities and strengthen international cooperation among the participating nations.
- Tarang Shakti 2024 was the first edition of the exercise and the largest international air exercise hosted by India. France was one among the 11 countries that participated with military assets.
The exercises cement defence cooperation with France which is a key aspect of the overall Indo-France Strategic Partnership.
Also Read: India – France: Strategic partners