Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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On 15 January 2025, the Indian Navy will commission three major combatants: INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vagsheer. INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project-15B Vishakhapatnam Class stealth destroyer. It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagaon Dock Limited. It has 72% indigenous content and is India’s first AI-enabled warship. The ship has a displacement of 7,400 tons, is 163 meters long, and can reach speeds up to 60 km/h. It has a range of 15,000 km and is equipped with BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 missiles, and advanced anti-submarine weapons.

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The Supreme Court suggested setting up Benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to address growing defence-related case pendency. AFT is a military tribunal established under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007. It functions under the Ministry of Defence. It resolves military-related disputes, including service matters and appeals from court-martial decisions. The suggestion aims to speed up the resolution of defence cases in these areas.

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Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the sixth Scorpene-class submarine, INS Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy on Jan 9, 2025. This marks the completion of Project P-75, enhancing India’s submarine fleet. INS Vaghsheer underwent rigorous trials and features advanced stealth technology, precision-guided weapons, and indigenous systems. The submarine strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence technology. MDL is poised for Project 75(I), building nuclear-powered submarines. The shipyard now has the capacity to build up to 10 capital warships and 11 submarines simultaneously, advancing India’s naval capabilities.

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DRDO and IIT Hyderabad unveiled India’s largest metal 3D printing machine for rocket components. It was developed at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad. The machine uses Powder-based Directed Energy Deposition technology for additive manufacturing. It has a build volume of 1m x 1m x 3m, making it one of India’s largest metal 3D printers. The system features dual heads for thermal balancing and speed. A key milestone was achieved with the successful fabrication of a one-meter-high component, advancing large-scale additive manufacturing in India.

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The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS). Pinaka is a battle-proven, all-weather artillery weapon system developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). It was first used in the Kargil War to neutralize enemy positions. The system delivers rapid and accurate fire on critical enemy targets. Each launcher carries 12 rockets, and a battery has six launchers (72 rockets total). It has a range of 60 to 75 km and can fire high-explosive and submunition warheads.

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SARAT version 2 improves efficiency in search and rescue operations. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed an upgraded version of its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT). The tool uses model ensembling, factoring in currents and winds for accurate location predictions. It offers over 60 object types and allows users to input details like last known location. Version 2 enhances accuracy, visualizations, and the user interface, speeding up operations with better success rates. The tool helps Indian search and rescue agencies respond faster and more effectively.

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Amphex 2025, a biennial tri-Services amphibious exercise, is conducted at Karwar, Karnataka. It focuses on interoperability and synergy between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise includes Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Army’s Southern Command, along with key Navy and Air Force formations. The Navy deploys amphibious ships, Marine Commandos (MARCOS), helicopters, and aircraft. The Army participates with Special Forces, Artillery, and Armoured vehicles. The IAF supports with fighter and transport aircraft to enhance joint amphibious capabilities.

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Ukraine has acquired the Gravehawk hybrid surface-to-air missile system to counter Russia’s missile attacks. It is developed by the United Kingdom. It targets short-range threats, especially fast-moving airborne objects. Missiles can reach Mach 2.5 and engage targets up to 12 miles away. It is effective against drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.

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Indian Navy’s INS Shardul and P8I aircraft are in Bali, Indonesia, for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025 and Exercise Komodo. Exercise Komodo, launched in 2014, is a non-combat multilateral naval drill by the Indonesian Navy. It promotes maritime cooperation and regional security among friendly nations. The 2025 theme is “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability.” The fifth edition features fleet reviews, naval drills, officer exchanges, bilateral meetings, and a defense exhibition. It involves 39 countries, with 34 foreign and 18 Indonesian Navy warships participating.

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INSV Tarini reached Port Stanley on February 18, 2025, completing the third phase of Navika Sagar Parikrama II. The expedition highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender empowerment and maritime excellence. It is crewed by two women officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. The voyage, covering over 21,600 nautical miles, started from Goa on October 2, 2024. Route includes Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland), Cape Town (South Africa), and back to Goa. INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel, has previously completed Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017.