Testbook Logo
ExamsSuperCoachingLive ClassesFREETest SeriesPrevious Year PapersSkill AcademyPassPass ProPass Elite Rank PredictorIAS PreparationPracticeGK & Current AffairsDoubtsBlog
Pass Pro Max logo

FREE

Download the Testbook App,

For FREE 7 days of
Pass Pro Max!

Exams
Tests
SuperSuper
SuperPass
logo

Shakti Exercise - India-France Bilateral Joint Military Exercise [UPSC Notes]

Also Read Shakti Exercise - India-France Bilateral Joint Military Exercise [UPSC Notes] in Hindi

Shakti Exercise is the bilateral joint military exercise between the armies of India and France. Exercise Shakti started in 2011, and since then, the armies of both countries have undertaken it to promote defence cooperation and interoperability. The latest edition, i.e., the 6th edition of this India-France exercise, took place in November 2021 at the Military School of Draguignan, France. Exercise SHAKTI is an important exercise between India and France.

Military Exercises and drills between India and different countries are very important for the UPSC Civil services exam under the theme of International relations, Current affairs, and Security. This article on the Shakti Military Exercise will help you to prepare for your UPSC IAS Exam.

This article discusses in detail the Recent Updates, Quick Facts, the Latest Edition, and Objectives of the Ex Shakti. We will also learn about the Indo-France Defence bilateral Defence Cooperation.

Also, check out the India-France Relations here.

Supercoaching Logo

PDF icon
Study Plan Illustration

About 6th Edition Shakti Exercise

Exercise Shakti is an important biennial military training exercise between India and France. Some of the important points related to the shakti military exercise for your UPSC exam are discussed below:

  • The sixth edition of the exercise was conducted from November 15 to November 26 in Frejus, France.
  • The Indian side was represented by a platoon of Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion in the exercise, and the 6th Light Armoured Brigade’s 21st Marine Infantry Regiment soldiers represented the French side.
  • A squad of three officers, three junior commissioned officers, and 37 troops represented the Indian Army contingent in Exercise Shakti.
  • The 6th Edition of the Shakti Exercise was completed in two phases, with the final phase consisting of a 36-hour test to assess the standards attained during the first two phases.
  • The participating contingents of both nations have also undergone rigorous tactical training, combat conditioning drills, and work sessions aimed at “Battle Hardening.”
  • Along with joint training, the Indian delegation also went to the MAZARGUES War Cemetery in Marseilles, the final resting place of 1,002 Indian soldiers from World War I(1914-18).
  • The Indian and French contingents came together to give a Guard of Honor and commemorate the bravery of the fallen soldiers.

Shakti Exercise

Check out the Article Malabar Exercise here!

Promo Banner

UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program - 60 Days Foundation Course SuperCoaching @ just

500000
🪙 Your Total Savings ₹50000

Want to know more about this Super Coaching ?

People also like

Public Administration optional by Rahul Sharma Sir

Public Administration optional by Rahul Sharma Sir

30000(59% OFF)

12500 (Valid for 15 Months)

Hindi Literature Optional (UPSC Mains) by Prachi Choudhary Ma'am

Hindi Literature Optional (UPSC Mains) by Prachi Choudhary Ma'am

33000(73% OFF)

9000 (Valid for 15 Months)

PSIR Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kiran Anishetty Sir

PSIR Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kiran Anishetty Sir

30000(40% OFF)

18000 (Valid for 15 Months)

Previous Editions of Shakti Exercise: Background

  • The bilateral exercise between the armies of India and France started in 2011.
  • Armed forces personnel of both nations receive training in counterterrorism activities.
  • It is a type of biennial training exercise.
  • It has been hosted alternately by France and India since 2016.
  • You can find out the details of all the Previous Edition of Shakti Exercise between India and France in the table given below:

Previous Editions of Shakti Exercise

Edition

Year

Host Country

Location

First

2011

India

Chaubatia, Uttarakhand

Second

2013

India

Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Third

2016

India

Bikaner, Rajasthan

Fourth

2018

France

Mailly-le-Camp, France

Fifth

2019

India

Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan

Sixth

2021

France

Frejus, France

Check out the list of Important Military exercises.

The Objectives of the Shakti Exercise

  • To Improve defense knowledge.
  • To increase collaboration between soldiers of both armies.
  • To increase and sustain interoperability between the French and Indian armies.
  • A few activities that are part of the Shakti exercise are
    • Creation of observation stations.
    • Cordon and search operations.
    • House clearance simulations with helicopter evacuation of injured.

शक्ति अभ्यास के बारे में हिंदी में भी जानें!

Shakti Exercise 2019

Some important facts about the Shakti exercise are listed below.

  • Exercise Shakti 2019 was conducted in Rajasthan from 31st October to 13th November 2019. From India’s side, the 21st Sikh Regiment participated in this bilateral exercise.
  • The Exercise Shakti had a semi-terrain setup for training in counterterrorism operations.
  • The Shakti exercise 2019 included the following:
  • A high degree of physical fitness
  • Sharing of information on tactical drills that were conducted
  • Learning excellent practises from the forces of both countries.
  • The 2019 Shakti exercise's objectives are:
    • improvement in defence knowledge
    • collaboration between army soldiers is encouraged
    • Increased and sustained interoperability between the French and Indian armies
  • Shakti 2019's exercise was divided into two parts:
    • Phase 1: Tactical instruction and combat conditioning.
    • Phase 2: the validation stage, involves testing the training exercises.
  • In the Shakti Exercise, the RUDRA helicopter was used. It is an upgraded version of India's domestically produced "Dhruv" Advanced Light Helicopter.

Facts About Shakti Exercise

  • Defence activities such as the shakti exercise promote cooperation between the two nations. 
    • That is what the Shakti Exercise between France and India aims to achieve. 
  • The bilateral exercise between the Indian and French armies started in 2011.
  • The Shakti Exercise aims to associate the armies of both nations with operational procedures and combat drills.
  • Armies train their soldiers to comprehend counterterrorism operations.
  • A few actions that are included in the training: 
    • Establishment of observation posts 
    • Cordon and search operation 
    • House clearing drills, including the evacuation of casualties using helicopters.

Latest Update on Indo-France Bilateral Defence Cooperation

Indo-French dialogue on bilateral defence cooperation

  • In April 2022, the 20th round of India-France Joint Staff Talks concluded in Paris, France. This dialogue centred on expanding defence engagements and launching new defence cooperation projects on a bilateral basis.
  • This dialogue between India and France was co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal B Manikantan, assistant chief of integrated staff, Int-C (military cooperation), headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff, and Brigadier General Eric Peltier, head of bilateral collaboration, South/Staff Headquarters.

Study article on the Yudh Abhyas here.

Download the PDF on Shakti Exercise- Bilateral Relation for UPSC Exam Notes

We hope all your doubts related to the topic of the Shakti exercise are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for Civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product, like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks, and so on.Ace your UPSC preparation with Testbook. You can check out our UPSC Online Coaching, and download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

Shakti Exercise UPSC FAQs

Report An Error

Open this in:

Testbook LogoTestbook App
ChromeChrome