New Delhi, July 3, ANB, The eighth edition of the Indo-French joint military exercise, SHAKTI-VIII, concluded today at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, France, with a formal closing ceremony, marking a significant milestone in defence cooperation between India and France. The two-week-long exercise brought together 90 personnel from the Indian Army’s Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and soldiers from the French Army’s 13ᵉ Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère. The joint drills were aimed at enhancing tactical coordination, interoperability, and mutual trust between the two forces in sub-conventional operational settings. According to the News Service Associated News Bureau ANB That The engagement featured a wide spectrum of mission-specific training modules, including combat shooting, urban warfare drills, obstacle clearance, and integrated Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) operations. A key highlight of SHAKTI-VIII was a rigorous 96-hour continuous field exercise simulating complex multi-domain combat scenarios. Designed to mirror real-time battlefield challenges, the exercise tested the endurance, coordination, and joint decision-making capabilities of both contingents under high-stress conditions. Indian Ambassador to France, Mr. Sanjeev Singla, visited the troops during the training and praised their dedication and professionalism. He lauded the exercise as a strong example of the growing strategic partnership between India and France. Exercise SHAKTI, a biennial event, continues to serve as a platform for the two nations to share best practices, enhance operational synergy, and reaffirm their shared commitment to regional peace and collective security. ANB
