India
and France have started their eight-day counter-terrorism and
counter-insurgency bilateral military exercise Shakti-2016 in Rajasthan.
The exercise is an important step for the armies to train together and gain
from each other's rich operational experience.
Both
countries have troops deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist
operations and therefore sharing each other's military experiences will pay
meaningful dividends.
Key Points:
- In this bilateral exercise, French contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade are participating.
- Indian side is being represented by the 2nd Battalion of Garhwal Rifles which is part of the Sapta Shakti Command.
- French Army contingent is led by Major Thibaut De Lacoste Lareymondie.
- A strenuous training schedule of the exercise, which includes firing, combat conditioning, tactical operations, heli-borne operations are included in training schedule.
- The illustrious selected battalion has varied experience in counter-insurgency/counter-terrorist operations. The unit was bestowed with the prestigious Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Citation and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command Unit Citation for maintaining law and order, keeping terrorism under check and maintaining sanctity of the border in the northern theatre.
About French 35th Infantry Regiment
The
French 35th Infantry Regiment was raised in 1604 by a member of the gentry from
Lorraine whose surname was Nemond. It has at least 12 battle honours to its
credit. The battalion has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria,
Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, amongst other places.
During
World War I it was nicknamed As de Trefle (Ace of Clubs). It is now based at
the garrison in Belfort.