Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The 16th India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant started at Umroi, Meghalaya, running from July 3 to 16, 2024. It involves 45 Indian personnel and Mongolian Army’s 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion. The annual event, alternating between the countries, focuses on counter-insurgency in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Key attendees include Mongolian Ambassador Dambajavyn Ganbold and Major General Prasanna Joshi. The exercise enhances interoperability and defense cooperation.

Notes:
The prototype of India’s indigenous light tank, Zorawar, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), was unveiled on July 6. Powered by a Cummins engine, it is designed for extreme weather and high altitudes along the northern border. Extensive trials will follow, aiming for Army user trials by August 2025. DRDO is also developing a new domestic engine for the tank.

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The United States and its allies will deliver five additional air defense systems, including Patriot missile batteries, to Ukraine. The Patriot (MIM-104) is an all-weather, surface-to-air missile defense system against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. It’s the U.S. Army’s most advanced air defense system, operated by multiple countries. The mobile system includes radar, a control station, and launch stations, with a range of over 150 km and high-altitude interception capabilities.

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The Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, has released the fifth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) with 346 items, to be procured exclusively from Indian industries after specified timelines. Available on the Srijan portal, this list encourages private sector indigenization. The portal showcases import items from DPSUs/OFB/SHQs, inviting Indian industry involvement in design, development, and manufacturing. The Ministry of Defence oversees this initiative.

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Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched the first indigenously-built Talwar class frigate, ‘Triput.’ Part of a 2016 India-Russia deal, Triput is among four Admiral Grigorovich class frigates, with two built in India via technology transfer. The Indian Navy already operates six of this class. INS Triput, 124m long and 15.5m wide, is powered by four gas turbines, reaching speeds of 28 knots with a 3200-ton displacement. It features stealth-enhancing hull design, advanced weapons and sensors, an Integrated Platform and Bridge Management System, and a robust air defense system with vertical launch long-range surface-to-air missiles.

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The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. This phase aims to validate intercept systems for ballistic missiles in the 5000 km range. The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile is an indigenously developed, two-stage, solid-propelled system designed to counter various ballistic missile threats within endo- to low exo-atmospheric regions. In 2022, DRDO tested the AD-1 long-range interceptor missile for both exo- and endo-atmospheric interception.

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Russian President recently greeted Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Tabar during Russia’s Navy Day celebrations. INS Tabar, a stealth frigate built in Russia, is the third ship of the Talwar class. Commissioned on April 19, 2004, in Kaliningrad, it can handle various naval missions independently or as part of a larger task force. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai.

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India hosts ‘Tarang Shakti,’ largest international air exercise, in two phases: August in Tamil Nadu and September in Rajasthan. The event aims to strengthen strategic relations, inviting 51 countries with 30 participating. Phase one in Tamil Nadu features France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Phase two in Rajasthan includes Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE, and the USA. This exercise enhances collaboration and operational skills.

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The Indian Naval Submarine INS Shalki, the first submarine built in India, arrived in Colombo for a two-day visit. This Shishumar-class diesel-electric submarine, commissioned in 1992, was constructed by Mazgaon Dock Limited in Mumbai. It is 64.4 m long, carries 40 people, and has a displacement of 1450-1850 tons. Its speed ranges from 11 knots surfaced to 22 knots submerged, with a range of 8,000 nautical miles.

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India and Russia conducted a maritime partnership exercise (MPX) in St. Petersburg on the 328th Russian Navy Day. The exercise featured India’s INS Tabar and Russia’s Soobrazitelny, showcasing naval maneuvers like communication drills, search and rescue tactics, and replenishment at sea. This MPX reinforced strong bilateral naval ties, highlighting both nations’ commitment to regional peace, stability, and security, and demonstrated professionalism and interoperability between their navies.