Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise began off the Guam coast in the western Pacific Ocean. Hosted by the U.S. Navy’s 7th fleet, it runs from March 4-19, 2025. The exercise involves five nations, including the Indian Navy, focusing on anti-submarine warfare. Participating countries include India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the US. It aims to improve tactical and command interoperability among allies and partners of the U.S. Each country is deploying its Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft. The Indian Navy is using the P8I aircraft, a Boeing-made maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

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The first rear fuselage for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by private Indian firm Alpha Tocol Engineering Services, was handed over to HAL. It was developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Tejas LCA Mk1A is an advanced version of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. It has over 40 improvements from the Tejas Mk1, enhancing combat and operational capabilities. The key upgrades are AESA radars (Israeli EL/M-2052 and Uttam), upgraded flight control computer, Unified Electronic Warfare Suite, and Advanced Self Protection Jammer pod. The aircraft has nine hardpoints for carrying weapons, including Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles and Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air missiles (ASRAAM).

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Exercise Varuna is the bilateral naval exercise between India and France, started in 1993 and named Varuna in 2001. VARUNA 2025 is the 23rd edition, scheduled to take place from March 19 to 22 in the Arabian Sea. It features high-intensity naval drills covering sub-surface, surface, and aerial operations. INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle participates with fighter jets, destroyers, frigates, and a Scorpene-class submarine. Key highlights include advanced air defence drills and mock air-to-air combat between French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K jets to improve combat readiness.

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The Indian Army conducted Ex Prachand Prahaar, a Tri-Service Integrated Multi-Domain Warfare Exercise in Arunachal Pradesh from 25 to 27 March 2025. It involved the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and other Indian Armed Forces under the Eastern Command. The exercise simulated future warfare with advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning. Cutting-edge platforms like long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, armed helicopters, UAVs, loitering munitions, and space-based assets were used for situational awareness and rapid target engagement.

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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.

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The Defence Ministry signed ₹2,500 crore contracts for NAMIS (Nag Anti-Tank Missile System) and light vehicles. NAMIS (Nag Anti-Tank Missile System) was developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). It is a tracked version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) mounted on a BMP-2 chassis. A third-generation “fire-and-forget” missile, it locks onto targets using an Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker. It can destroy heavily armored tanks, including those with composite and reactive armor.

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The 14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA takes place in Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025. Exercise INDRA, initiated in 2003, symbolizes the strong strategic partnership between the Indian and Russian navies. The exercise is conducted in two phases: Harbour Phase (March 28-30) in Chennai and Sea Phase (March 31-April 2) in the Bay of Bengal. Russian Navy ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov will participate alongside Indian Navy ships Rana, Kuthar, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. Activities include tactical drills, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, helicopter cross-deck landings, and expert exchanges to enhance naval cooperation.

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The fourth edition of Exercise Tiger Triumph, a bilateral India-US Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, takes place from April 1 to 13, 2025, on the Eastern Seaboard. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and create Standard Operating Procedures for a Combined Coordination Center between Indian and US Joint Task Forces. Indian participants include naval ships, Army troops, Air Force aircraft, and a Rapid Action Medical Team. US participants include Navy ships and US Marine Division troops. The exercise includes a Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam and a Sea Phase near Kakinada.

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The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini reached Cape Town, South Africa, in its final international stop of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II global circumnavigation. INSV Tarini is a 56-foot, indigenously built sailing vessel commissioned in February 2017 by the Indian Navy. It was built by Aquarius Shipyard Ltd., Goa, under the Make in India initiative. It has advanced navigation, satellite communication, and emergency steering for extreme conditions. It was named after the Tara-Tarini hill shrine in Odisha, historically revered by sailors. The expedition began on October 2, 2024, covering 23,400 nautical miles across three oceans and three major capes in eight months.