13e DBLE: Exercise Shakti 2025 | French Foreign Legion Information

In southern France, between June 18 and July 1, 2025, the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) hosted the eighth edition of the Indo-French joint military exercise, Shakti 2025, to enhance bilateral military cooperation.

The exercise brought together the 13e DBLE legionnaires and about 90 men of the 7th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, a combat unit of the Indian Army.

Following the Shakti 2024 in India, which also included the 13e DBLE, the 2025 exercise emphasized tactical and operational skill-sharing. After initial joint training at the demi-brigade’s military base at La Cavalerie, the second phase took place from June 22–26 in the Hérault department, between Pézenas and Lodève. Combined French-Indian units conducted multi-day, open-field maneuvers, simulating urban combat, including securing a booby-trapped factory, mountain rappelling, and an amphibious landing at Tamarissière Beach in Agde. Marching long distances with full gear and supported by a joint French-Indian command post, the troops demonstrated strong interoperability.

The exercise helped to strengthen the Indo-French defense partnership, with plans for Shakti 2026 to further advance tactical collaboration.

Note: During Shakti 2025, the 13e DBLE men wore the new F3 combat uniform, with bariolage multi-environnement (BME) camouflage, designed for enhanced adaptability across diverse operational terrains. This new uniform will replace the previous Central Europe and Daguet camouflage patterns used by the French Army.

13e DBLE - Foreign Legion - India - Exercise Shakti - 2025

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