Article Posted on : - Jul 30, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and France will hold their first army-to-army exercise, Shakti, at Chaubatia near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand in October focussing on counter- terrorism drills.

"The first joint exercise between the armies of the two sides would be held between October 9 to 22 where they will focus on carrying out joint drills on counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations," an Army official said here.

The navies and air forces of the two countries have been regularly holding 'Varuna' and 'Garuda' series of exercises.

India and France have had strong defence relations and New Delhi Friday signed a deal worth USD 2.4 billion with French firms Dassault and Thales for upgrading its fleet of 51 Mirage 2000 fighter jet fleet.

Indian Army troops are also holding a company-level exercise with their British counterparts in the UK under Exercise 'Ajayee Warrior'.