India–Malaysia Launch 5th Edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti in Rajasthan

India and Malaysia have initiated the fifth edition of their joint military exercise, Harimau Shakti, in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges of Rajasthan. Scheduled from 5 to 18 December 2025, this two-week military engagement aims to enhance interoperability, coordination, and tactical proficiency in sub-conventional operations, particularly within the framework of United Nations Chapter VII mandates.

About Exercise Harimau Shakti

Exercise Harimau Shakti is an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian and Malaysian armies, initiated in 2012. Alternating between the two nations, this drill offers both countries an opportunity to share tactics, operational techniques, and conduct joint missions in varied environments.

Previous editions of Harimau Shakti focused on jungle warfare and counter-insurgency, especially in Malaysia’s dense terrain. The 2025 edition marks a notable shift in geography and combat scenarios, training troops in semi-arid and desert warfare operations.

Highlights of the 2025 Edition

This year’s exercise is hosted in Rajasthan, reflecting India’s commitment to preparing troops for operations across diverse terrains.

The participating units are,

• Dogra Regiment from the Indian Army
• 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army

The scope of the exercise includes,

• Sub-conventional operations under UN Chapter VII, which involves peace enforcement and counter-terror operations.
• Heliborne operations, tactical insertions, and drills to secure helipads during combat.
• Cordon and search missions, room clearing, and casualty evacuation drills.
• Combat Reflex Shooting for close-quarter engagements.
• Training in Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) and yoga to build physical endurance and mental focus.

Strategic Importance of the Exercise

Enhancing Joint Operational Capabilities

The exercise is designed to improve the capability of both armies to operate jointly in high-risk, real-time scenarios, especially in urban and desert combat settings.

Focus on Peacekeeping and UN Mandates

The emphasis on UN Chapter VII reflects the countries’ readiness to participate in peace enforcement missions. Unlike peacekeeping, this chapter allows the use of force to maintain international peace and security, underscoring the high-level tactical training involved.

Strengthening Bilateral Defence Ties

This exercise is a key example of growing India–Malaysia defence cooperation, reflecting mutual strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. It builds trust, strengthens diplomatic ties, and enhances regional stability through shared military expertise.

What’s Different This Year

Compared to earlier editions held in jungle terrains, the 2025 exercise introduces a desert warfare setting with new challenges like heat endurance, longer visibility ranges, and logistical adaptations.

The inclusion of helipad security drills, heliborne operations, and reflex shooting is a significant evolution, indicating preparation for rapid response missions and asymmetric threats that are increasingly common in both conventional and peace enforcement scenarios.

Key Takeaways

• Exercise Name: Harimau Shakti
• Edition: 5th
• Dates: 5 to 18 December 2025
• Location: Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan
• Indian Unit: Dogra Regiment
• Malaysian Unit: 25th Battalion, Royal Malaysian Army
• Focus: Counter-terror, heliborne ops, UN Chapter VII drills