Indo-French joint military drill under ‘Exercise Shakti-2019’ in Rajasthan from October 31

Indian and French armies will
conduct joint counter-terrorism drills under ‘Exercise Shakti-2019’ in the
Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan from October 31 to November 13,
officials said on Friday.

The joint exercise will focus on
counter-terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-desert terrain under the
United Nations mandate, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.

A Sikh Regiment of south western
command will represent the Indian Army in the exercise, while the French Army
delegation will be represented by troops of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment
of the 6th Armoured Brigade, he said.

The exercise between the armies of
the two countries had stated in 2011.

The French troops will arrive in
India on Saturday for the exercise which will be held at foreign training node
at the Mahajan field firing range in western sector of Rajasthan, Col Ghosh
said.

He said the training will focus
primarily on high degree of physical fitness, sharing of drill at tactical
level and the learning of best practices from each other.

The exercise aims at enhancing
understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two armies, Col
Ghosh said.

The training will lead upto 36-hour-long
validation exercise which will involve neutralisation of terrorists in a
village hideout, he said.