Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off Samudra Pradakshina, an all-women tri-services sailing expedition, from Gateway of India. It is a symbol of Nari Shakti, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, military diplomacy, and global vision. Ten women officers will sail on IASV Triveni, covering 26,000 nautical miles in nine months, crossing the equator twice and sailing around Capes Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope. IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht built in Puducherry, will stop at ports in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. The voyage highlights India’s progress in women empowerment, maritime adventure, and global recognition.

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INS Aravali, a new shore-based naval facility, was commissioned in Gurugram to boost the Indian Navy’s information warfare and maritime domain awareness. Strategically located in the National Capital Region (NCR), it will support Navy’s command and control network. The base reflects Prime Minister’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). INS Aravali is named after the Aravali range, symbolising vigilance, endurance, and foresight. Its crest shows mountains and a rising sun, and its motto is “Maritime Security through Collaboration.” It consolidates India’s role as the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

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The Indian Army conducted Exercise Siyom Prahar from 8–10 September 2025 in Arunachal Pradesh to validate drone use in tactical operations. The exercise aimed to integrate drones across tactical and operational levels under realistic battlefield conditions. Drones were employed for persistent surveillance, battlefield reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes. The exercise focused on developing and validating new tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for future battlefields. It demonstrated integration of drone inputs with conventional firepower, joint targeting, and rapid decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios.

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Recently, the Indian Navy received INS Androth, the second indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare–Shallow Watercraft (ASW-SWC). It is named after Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. INS Androth is the second of eight ASW-SWC ships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These ships are designed as per the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Classification Rules. The vessel is 77 meters long and among the largest Indian Naval warships. It enhances submarine detection, coastal surveillance, and mine-laying capabilities.

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Recently, the maiden bilateral maritime exercise between India and Greece was conducted, led by Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand at Salamis Bay, Greece, during its Mediterranean deployment. INS Trikand is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy. It is the third and final ship of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates, built by Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia, and commissioned on 29 June 2013. It operates under the Western Fleet, part of the Western Naval Command, Mumbai.

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Indian Navy’s Diving Support Vessel (DSV) INS Nistar is participating in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore. Exercise Pacific Reach is a biennial multinational exercise with participation from over 40 nations. The harbour phase will include discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), a medical symposium and cross-deck visits. The sea phase will see INS Nistar and Submarine Rescue Unit (E) perform intervention and rescue operations with other nations in the South China Sea.

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Recently, South Korea, the United States, and Japan launched their five-day trilateral multi-domain exercise ‘Freedom Edge’ from September 15–19 in international waters near Jeju Island. This is the third round of the drills, after earlier editions in June and November 2024. It is the first such exercise under South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. The exercise focuses on ballistic missile defence, air defence, medical evacuation, and maritime interdiction training. The goal is to boost interoperability and strengthen trilateral security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

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Project Vijayak of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 15th Raising Day at Kargil, Ladakh on 21 September 2025, marking entry into its 16th year. It was launched in 2010 by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and named after Operation Vijay to reflect the connection between the battle theatre and the project area. It has built 1,400 km of roads and 80 major bridges across Ladakh. In April 2025, it achieved a record by reopening the Zojila Pass in just 31 days after winter closure. The project has improved operational preparedness of Armed Forces and connectivity for Ladakh’s people.

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India successfully conducted a test launch of the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system. This is the first rail-based launch integrated with the national railway network. The launch demonstrates India’s strategic deterrence capabilities and cross-country mobility with reduced visibility. The Agni-Prime is a next-generation ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers. The test involved the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

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INS Imphal of the Indian Navy recently conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) 2025 with the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101). It is an indigenously built stealth guided missile destroyer. INS Imphal is the third ship of Project P-15B (Visakhapatnam-class destroyers). Other ships in the class are INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Surat. It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL). It is the first warship named after a Northeast city — Imphal, capital of Manipur. It is also the first warship with accommodation for women officers and sailors.