France to Host 8th Indo-French Joint Military Exercise Shakti in June

France will host the 8th India-France joint military exercise “ Shakti” at La Cavalerie from 18 June to 1 July 2025. India hosted the 7th edition of Exercise Shakti held at Umroi, in Meghalaya, from 13 to 26 May 2024.

The Exercise Shakti is a biennial exercise that was first held in 2011. It is alternately hosted by India and France.

Aim of the Exercise Shakti 2025 

• According to the Indian Army, the aim of the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti is to enhance the capability of the Indian and French armies to undertake joint multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario. 
• Dealing with terrorism and conducting counter terrorism operations is called a sub-conventional scenario by the Armed Forces around the world.
• The joint exercise will also strengthen the bonds between the Army personnel of both countries and facilitate interoperability between the two forces.

India-France Military Ties and Military Exercise 

France is India's major defence partner. India has bought advanced fighter planes like Mirage and Rafale from France. The French have also licensed the production of 6 Scorpene submarines in India.

India is also negotiating with the French company Saffran to build engines for its fighter aircraft.

Dassault Aviation, a French company, has signed an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to manufacture the fuselages of Rafale planes in India.

To strengthen defence ties, Indian and French armed forces regularly conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises. 

Bilateral Army-level exercise 

Exercise Shakti 

• First -2011
• Frequency - held biennially. It is held alternately in India and France.
• 8th edition to be held in France from 18 June to 1 July 2025.

Frinjex Exercise 

• First in 2023
• Held at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in March 2023.

Bilateral Air Force-level exercise 

Garuda Exercise

• Conducted between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force.
• First -2003. It is held alternately in India and France.
• Frequency - biennial
• Seventh edition - Held at the Air Force Station Jodhpur from  26 October to 12 November 2022. 

Bilateral  Naval exercise 

Varuna Exercise

• The Indian Navy and the French Navy jointly conduct the Varuna Exercise.
• First - 1991, and was renamed as Varuna in 2001.
• Frequency - Annual 
• 23rd edition held in the Arabian Sea and hosted by the Indian Navy on 19th March 2025

Multinational Exercise 

India also participates in the multinational exercise conducted by the French Armed Forces.

Exercise ORION

• Conducted by the French Air and Space Force.
• Held in France.
• First Time the Indian Air Force participated in 2023.

Tarang Shakti 

• The largest ever multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force in August-September 2024.
• The French Air and Space Force participated.

La Pérouse Exercise 

• It is a multinational naval exercise hosted by the French Navy in the Indo-Pacific.
• The 5th edition was held in the Indo-Pacific in January 2025.
• India first participated in 2021.