Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, North Korea unveiled its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-20 at a military parade. Hwasong-20 is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed with a solid-fuel engine made of carbon fiber composite materials. Solid-fueled missiles can be quickly launched and are harder to intercept than liquid-fueled ones. The missile has an estimated range of over 15,000 km, capable of reaching distant continents. It features an advanced guidance system combining Inertial Navigation System (INS) with GPS or optical sensors for high accuracy.

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NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) conducts an annual nuclear deterrence exercise called Steadfast Noon. The exercise tests NATO’s nuclear deterrent readiness. It is hosted by a different NATO country each year. In 2025, the Netherlands is hosting Steadfast Noon at Volkel Air Base. Other participating bases are Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Lakenheath (Britain), and Skrydstrup (Denmark). Finland, Poland, United States, Germany, and other allies are participants. Around 70 aircraft from 14 allied nations will take part, including conventional and dual-capable aircraft.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, on 13 October 2025. It participated in the first-ever Indian Navy (IN) – Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Bilateral Exercise. The visit highlights the growing Navy-to-Navy interactions and Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, was commissioned in 2012. The ship is based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command. The exercise includes harbour and sea phases, with joint drills, cross-deck visits, and training.

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India has recently proposed the supply of the Akash missile system to Brazil, during Defence Minister’s talks with Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin in New Delhi. Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It is designed to protect vulnerable areas and assets from aerial threats like fighter jets, drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles. It was indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad. It is currently in service with both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

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Ukraine recently carried out a bold strike on a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk using UK-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles, breaching Moscow’s air defenses. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile. It was jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France. The missile is called SCALP in France. It is designed for stealth and precision strikes in all weather conditions. It targets high-value stationary assets like airbases, radar sites, and communication hubs. It is used by the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. India has integrated SCALP missiles with Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.

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India will hold a tri-service military exercise named Poorvi Prachand Prahar in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a joint exercise of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance warfighting skills, technological use, and operational coordination among the three forces. It will validate multi-domain integration across land, air, and maritime fronts. The drill will test interoperability, situational awareness, and command-and-control systems in high-altitude conditions.

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The United States (US) Air Force recently conducted a successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), planned months in advance. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made silo-launched guided missile designed for surface attacks. “L” stands for silo-launched, “G” for surface attack, and “M” for guided missile in the US Department of Defense code. The US currently maintains around 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

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Recently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China inducted the Fujian aircraft carrier after extensive trials. Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, following Liaoning and Shandong. It is China’s first domestically designed and built carrier. With this, China now has the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers, after the United States (US). Fujian is the first Chinese carrier with a catapult launch system, enabling heavier, fully armed warplanes and longer operational range.

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The 14th edition of Exercise Ekuverin 2025 has started from 2 December and will run till 15 December at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. “Ekuverin” means “Friends” in the Dhivehi language and it began in 2009. It is a bilateral annual military exercise conducted alternately between India and the Maldives. It involves the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces. It focuses on Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorism (CT) operations in semi-urban, jungle, and coastal areas. It also promotes niche technology integration, sharing of best practices, and regional peace and security.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity. The test was carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh. It validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy. The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A dual-sled system with LCA aircraft forebody was propelled using multiple solid propellant rocket motors.