Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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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The sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian, a joint military exercise between India and Japan, is scheduled to take place at Mount Fuji, Japan from February 25 to March 9. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two forces. It involves joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. The aim is to strengthen military ties through improved interoperability, joint operations, and the exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise helps promote military-to-military relations between India and Japan.

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India and the US plan to procure and co-produce Javelin anti-tank guided missiles for India’s defense needs. Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget missile designed to destroy heavily armored vehicles. It was developed by US defense companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The missile is effective against main battle tanks, lighter military vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and helicopters.

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The Indian Coast Guard conducted the ‘Sagar Kavach’ exercise on February 21-22, 2025, along the 158 km West Bengal coast. The exercise aims to strengthen coastal security and improve coordination among multiple agencies. It tested security measures against threats like kidnapping, smuggling, and IED attacks. The two-day operation focused on refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

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The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR) on 25 February 2025. The missile was launched from the Indian Navy’s Sea King Mk 42B helicopter at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. NASM-SR is India’s first indigenously developed air-launched anti-ship missile with a sea-skimming capability. DRDO confirmed the successful validation of the missile’s Man-in-Loop feature, allowing real-time target selection and in-flight retargeting.

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Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 was held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 24 to 28 February 2025. It is a tri-service special forces exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force. Participants included the Indian Army’s Para (SF), Navy’s Marine Commandos, and Air Force’s Garud (SF). The exercise focused on interoperability, coordination, and synergy among special forces. It included airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, combat free falls, and urban warfare.

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The U.S. Air Force is considering deploying the Harpoon anti-ship missile on its F-16s, signaling a shift in naval warfare strategy. The Harpoon (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by Boeing for the U.S. Navy. Introduced in 1977, it is used by over 30 countries, including India. It has a range of 90-240 km and can be launched from ships, submarines, shore batteries, and aircraft.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the high-altitude trials of the Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft. The trials were conducted at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet above Mean Sea Level. The ILSS is an advanced system that generates and regulates breathable oxygen for pilots during flight.  The ILSS is based on the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).  The ILSS includes 10 line replaceable units, including the low-pressure breathing regulator, BOS, emergency oxygen system, oxygen sensor, and anti-G valve.

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INS Imphal arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, to participate in the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025. The visit highlights India’s commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR vision. INS Imphal is a Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. It is the third indigenous stealth destroyer, commissioned in December 2023. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

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GE Aerospace has started delivering F404-IN20 jet engines to HAL for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A after delays. The first engine was shipped on March 26, 2025, and will arrive in India in April. HAL plans to deliver 12 Tejas Mk1A jets in 2025 and later increase production to 24 jets per year. The Indian Air Force operates 31 fighter squadrons, far below the required 42.5, making these deliveries crucial. Tejas LCA Mk1A, developed by HAL, is an upgraded variant with 40+ improvements in combat, survivability, and efficiency.