The 6th edition of India-France joint military exercise ‘EX-SHAKTI 2021’ commenced on 15th November 2021 at the southeastern French port town of Frejus , France. EX-SHAKTI is a biennial training exercise which is conducted alternatively in India and France.
- The 12-day joint exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 15 to 26 November 2021.
- The exercise focuses on Counter-Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under the United Nations Mandate .
Key Highlights:
i.Indian army will be represented by a platoon strength of the ‘Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion’ and the French side will be represented by ‘troops of 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Light Armoured Brigade’.
Note – The Previous edition of Exercise SHAKTI was conducted at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan from October 31 to November 13, 2019 involved in counter-terrorism operations in semi-desert terrain.
Defence Exercise between India and France:
India and France carry out three biennial training exercises namely, GARUDA (with Indian Air Force), VARUNA (with Indian Navy), and SHAKTI (with Indian Army).
i.Exercise GARUDA aims at enhancing interoperability level of French and Indian crews in air and ground missions.
ii.Exercise VARUNA – the bilateral maritime exercises between India and France Navies started from 1993. The maritime exercise has been named ‘Varuna’ Since 2001 with an objective to ensure freedom of seas and commitment to international order.
Recent Related News
The 19th Edition of India and French Naval Bilateral Exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ was conducted in the Arabian sea from April 25-27, 2021. The Indian side was led by Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, The French side was led by Rear Admiral Marc Aussedat, Commander Task Force 473.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral Karambir Singh (24th CNS)
Integrated Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi.
About France
President – Emmanuel Macron
Capital – Paris
Currency – Euro.