Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Indian Army’s Air Defence warriors from the White Tiger Division demonstrated their operational skills in a live missile-firing exercise using the 9K33 Osa-AK missile system. The 9K33 Osa-AK is a Russian-built, highly mobile, low-altitude, short-range tactical surface-to-air defence missile system. It was developed in the 1960s and fielded by the Soviet Union in 1972. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) designates it as “SA-8 Gecko.” The missile system has a length of 9.1 meters, a width of 2.78 meters, and weighs up to 18 tonnes. It integrates the transporter-erector-launcher and radar (TELAR) for independent detection, tracking, and engagement of aerial threats.

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s frigate INS Tarkash intercepted and seized over 2500 kg of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean during a maritime security operation. INS Tarkash is a modern stealth frigate of the Indian Navy. It belongs to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates, which are modified Krivak III-class frigates built by Russia. It was constructed at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 9, 2012, in Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tarkash is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army successfully conducted four flight-tests of the Army version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) on April 3 and 4, 2025 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The tests involved intercepting high-speed aerial targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude, and low altitude, achieving direct hits and proving operational capability. The weapon system was tested in real conditions, and its performance was verified using radars and electro-optical tracking systems from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The trials were conducted under DRDO’s guidance by the Indian Army’s Eastern and Southern Commands. MRSAM is jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries and includes multi-function radar, command post, mobile launcher, and other vehicles. These trials pave the way for weapon system deployment in two Army Regiments.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by the Prime Minister, approved a ₹63,000-crore deal to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France for the Indian Navy. Earlier, India planned to buy 126 jets under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender in 2007, but it was cancelled in 2015. A 2016 deal brought 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), delivered from 2019 to 2022. The new deal includes 22 Rafale-M single-seater jets for aircraft carriers and 4 twin-seater trainers for practice. These jets will fly from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. Rafale is a 4.5 generation, twin-engine, delta-wing, multirole fighter made by Dassault Aviation. It can fly at Mach 1.8 and has a combat range of over 1000 kilometers, useful for various missions like air combat, ground attacks, and naval strikes.

Notes:
India recently showcased the BM-04 missile at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defense exhibition in Hyderabad, highlighting its growing strength in conventional counterforce weapons. The BM-04 is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is 10.2 meters long, 1.2 meters in diameter, weighs 11,500 kg, and carries a 500 kg conventional warhead. With a range of 1,500 km and 30-meter circular error probability (CEP), it uses a two-stage solid-fuel system. It is canisterized and launched from a six-wheel indigenous transport erector launcher (TEL). It features a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) for evasive flight paths and can be upgraded regularly to face evolving threats.

Notes:
The Saras Mk2, India’s first multi-purpose civilian aircraft in the light transport aircraft category, is set for its test flight in December 2027. It is a 19-seater aircraft developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Saras Mk2 is an upgraded version of the earlier Saras Mk1 model. It is designed for multiple uses, such as medical emergencies, disaster relief, and passenger transport. It will help improve air connectivity between Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 cities across India.

Notes:
The Russian Ministry of Defence has, for the first time, acknowledged the threat from Ukraine’s new short-range ballistic missile called Sapsan. The Sapsan, also known as Hrim-2 or Grom-2, is a tactical ballistic missile system developed by Ukraine. It combines features of both a tactical missile system and a multiple rocket launcher for flexible battlefield use. The export version of the Hrim-2 missile is capable of hitting fixed targets, both individual and group-based. Its range varies from 50 to 280 kilometers, making it effective for short-range precision strikes.

Notes:
India has sent a second batch of batteries of the BrahMos missile system to the Philippines. BrahMos is a long-range supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. It can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. It has a two-stage propulsion system. The first stage is a solid propellant booster that provides the initial supersonic speed. The second stage is a liquid ramjet that takes the missile close to a speed of 3 Mach during the cruise phase. It has a range of up to 290 kilometers. It uses “Fire and Forget” technology, which does not require further guidance after launch. It has shorter flight times, which means quicker target engagement and low dispersion.

Notes:
Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted “Exercise Aakraman” (Attack). The exercise took place over a large area in the central sector and involved IAF’s mainstream fighter aircraft, led by Rafale combat jets. The IAF operates two Rafale squadrons based in Ambala and Hashimara, West Bengal. In a show of strength, fighter jets and transport aircraft were active through the night, flying close to the border areas. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)-equipped aircraft conducted intense surveillance of enemy movements.

Notes:
The Indian Navy recently test-fired a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) air defence system from INS Surat in the Arabian Sea. MR-SAM is a high-speed, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile system. It is designed to destroy enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. MR-SAM provides high responsiveness and precision in protecting naval assets against aerial attacks. It has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile system is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in India. This successful test enhances the Indian Navy’s air defence capabilities at sea.