7th Edition of India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI IN MEGHALAYA

The 7th edition of India- France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI commenced at Umroi, in a fully developed and modern Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya.

1. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 13th to 26th May 2024.

About Exercise Shakti:

1. Exercise Shakti is a biennial training event held alternately in India and France.
2. The previous edition was conducted in France in November 2021.
3. The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake multi-domain operations in a Sub-Conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
4. The joint exercise will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
5. Objectives include achieving a high degree of physical fitness, rehearsing and refining drills for tactical-level operations, and sharing best practices.
6. The exercise allows both sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for conducting joint operations.
7. The Indian contingent comprises 90 personnel, primarily from the Rajput Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services.
8. Observers from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are also part of the 14-day exercise.
9. The French contingent consists of 90 personnel, mainly from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).

Exercise VARUNA: India-France Bilateral Naval Exercise

1. VARUNA Exercise is the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France.
2. It was initiated in 1993 and renamed 'VARUNA' in 2001.
3. It has since become a hallmark of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.

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