Indo-French Joint Training Ex Shakti – 11 kicks off

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Oct 11, IRNA -- An Indo-French joint military exercise, aimed at enhancing various combat skills, promoting mutual understanding and inter-operability between the two armies kick started Monday at Chaubattia in Ranikhet of Utranchal state.

Troops of both countries participated in the event, witnessed by the Indian and French army personel.

Termed ?SHAKTI- 2011’, this fifteen days training is the first ever joint training between the two armies focusing on Counter Terrorism operations. The participating contingents are 60 French troops of the elite 13 Mountain Battalion and an equal number of personnel from 2 Bihar Regiments under the aegis of 99 Mountain Brigade, said an official statement.

During the course of training, the troops from the two countries will practice basic combat tactics related to various aspects of Counter Terrorism operations in detail and exchange their combat techniques/ skills. The training syllabus also includes sharing of each other’s experiences and lessons drawn from operations undertaken by the two great armies. The highlights of this training would be the final consolidation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly plan and execute a series of counter terrorist operations including mountain techniques and employment of commandoes in the thick forests on the outskirts of Ranikhet.

Exercise ?SHAKTI- 2011’ is the first step taken by India and France to share their experiences and technological expertise in curbing terrorism. In addition to giving an insight into the functioning of two different and powerful armies of the world, the exercise is likely to enhance defence cooperation and military-to-military relations between the two nations and will be a harbinger to future cooperation in ensuring world peace and stability.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30605926