The 5th edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025, the annual India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise, commenced on December 5, 2025, at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, and was scheduled to conclude on December 18, 2025. The exercise involved 120 Indian Army personnel, primarily from the Dogra Regiment, and 70 troops from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army. The primary aim was to jointly rehearse Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate, focusing on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping scenarios. Joint training drills included heliborne operations, raid and search-and-destroy missions, employment of drones and counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) measures, securing helipads, and casualty evacuation procedures. The exercise also incorporated combat reflex shooting, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), and Yoga sessions to promote physical resilience and cultural exchange. Harimau Shakti has grown into a key platform for bilateral defence ties between India and Malaysia, enhancing interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism environments. The exercise reflects India's deepening strategic engagement with ASEAN nations under its Act East Policy, and Rajasthan's Mahajan range continues to serve as a critical venue for multinational military exercises owing to its vast desert terrain.
Harimau Shakti 2025: 5th India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise Begins at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan
The 5th edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025, the annual India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise, commenced on December 5, 2025, at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, and was scheduled to conclude on December 18, 2025. The exercise involved 120 Indian Army personnel, primarily from the Dogra Regiment, and 70 troops from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army. The primary aim was to jointly rehearse Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate, focusing on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping scenarios. Joint training drills included heliborne operations, raid and search-and-destroy missions, employment of drones and counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) measures, securing helipads, and casualty evacuation procedures. The exercise also incorporated combat reflex shooting, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), and Yoga sessions to promote physical resilience and cultural exchange. Harimau Shakti has grown into a key platform for bilateral defence ties between India and Malaysia, enhancing interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism environments. The exercise reflects India's deepening strategic engagement with ASEAN nations under its Act East Policy, and Rajasthan's Mahajan range continues to serve as a critical venue for multinational military exercises owing to its vast desert terrain.
Key facts
- 120 Indian Army personnel from Dogra Regiment and 70 Malaysian troops participated.
- Training included heliborne operations, drone deployment, and counter-UAS measures.
- Combat reflex shooting, AMAR, and Yoga sessions promoted physical resilience and cultural exchange.
- The exercise focused on peacekeeping scenarios under UN Chapter VII mandate.
- Rajasthan's Mahajan range serves as a critical venue for multinational military exercises.
- The exercise reflects India's deepening strategic engagement with ASEAN under Act East Policy.
Mains angle
Q: Examine how Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025, hosted at Rajasthan's Mahajan Field Firing Range, reflects India's Act East Policy and strengthens counter-terrorism interoperability with Malaysia.
Answer (50 words):
The 5th edition ran from December 5 to 18, 2025, with 120 Dogra Regiment personnel and 70 soldiers of the 25th Battalion, Royal Malaysian Army. It rehearsed Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate, featuring heliborne ops, counter-UAS drills and combat reflex shooting, deepening ASEAN defence engagement.
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Where was Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 conducted?
Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 was conducted at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Exercise Harimau Shakti and which edition was held in 2025?
Exercise Harimau Shakti is the annual India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise. The 5th edition commenced on December 5, 2025, at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, and was scheduled to conclude on December 18, 2025.
Which Indian regiment participated in Harimau Shakti 2025 and how many personnel were involved?
The exercise involved 120 Indian Army personnel, primarily from the Dogra Regiment, and 70 troops from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army.
What was the primary military objective of Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025?
The primary objective was to jointly rehearse Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate, focusing on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping scenarios.
What types of training activities were conducted during Harimau Shakti 2025?
Training included heliborne operations, drone deployment, counter-UAS measures, combat reflex shooting, AMAR exercises, and Yoga sessions, promoting both military readiness and cultural exchange.
What is the significance of Mahajan Field Firing Range for India's military exercises?
Rajasthan's Mahajan Field Firing Range is a critical venue for multinational military exercises. Harimau Shakti 2025 reflects India's deepening strategic engagement with ASEAN nations under its Act East Policy.
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