Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
On July 15, 2025, India received the second GE-F404 engine from the United States for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A programme. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a public sector firm, received the engine and is set to get 12 more by the end of this financial year. These engines will power the LCA Mark-1A fighter jets, which faced over a year of delay due to U.S. supply chain issues. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered 83 LCA Mk-1A jets, with a proposal for 97 more under review. HAL received the first engine in March 2025 and aims to deliver over 10 Tejas jets soon.

Notes:
Indian Navy will participate in the 32nd edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX), earlier known as Exercise Lion King. It is one of India’s longest uninterrupted annual maritime exercises. It is conducted every year between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. The exercise aims to enhance naval cooperation, interoperability, and maritime security. It supports India’s Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Notes:
Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar on July 12, 2025, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. INS Nistar is the first of two indigenously built Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) by Hindustan Shipyard Limited under Ministry of Defence. Sister vessel INS Nipun was launched in 2022 and will soon be commissioned. Nistar supports deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, and enhances India’s maritime strength in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Notes:
Yard 3034 (Ajay), the eighth and final ship of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched on 21 July 2025 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) will boost Indian Navy’s underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare, and mine-laying capabilities. The ship features Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS). It is armed with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, NSG-30 Gun, and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Gun (SRCG). The ship will enhance India’s maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Notes:
Recent reports suggested Iran may have prepared to test its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Khorramshahr-5. Khorramshahr-5 is reported to have an operational range of 12,000 km and a speed of Mach 16 (about 20,000 km/h). It can carry a heavy warhead weighing about two tons. An ICBM is a long-range missile mainly designed to deliver nuclear weapons over 5,500 km, with some reaching up to 16,000 km.

Notes:
Russia is preparing for fresh tests of its 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile from Pankovo range, Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. If successful, it will be the world’s first operational nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range to strike any point globally. Burevestnik means “storm petrel” and is a ground-launched, low-flying missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It is one of six strategic weapons introduced by the Russian President in 2018. NATO code-names it ‘SSC-X-9 Skyfall’.

Notes:
The US President recently announced a 175 billion dollar Golden Dome missile defence shield for the United States. It is a ground and space-based system designed to protect the country from advanced missile threats. Golden Dome will use a network of satellites to detect, track and intercept incoming missiles, including long-range ones from space or other continents. It will integrate with existing US defence systems like Patriot, THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence and Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD).

Notes:
Iran launched its first military exercise after the end of its 12-day war with Israel. The exercise, named Sustainable Power 1404, was held in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Iran’s navy vessels launched missiles at sea targets during the drill. The frigate IRIS Sabalan and the vessel IRIS Ganaveh fired Nasir and Qadir cruise missiles, successfully striking targets. Such drills are routine, but this one projects strength after heavy Israeli attacks on air defence and nuclear sites. Iran’s navy has around 18,000 personnel and avoided major damage during the June war.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. This is part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, aimed at creating a homegrown multi-layered nationwide security shield by 2035. IADWS includes Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). It integrates surveillance, cybersecurity, and air defence systems to detect and neutralise threats like missiles, aircraft, and drones.

Notes:
The 14th edition of Exercise Maitree is a joint military drill between India and Thailand. It will be held in Umroi, Meghalaya, from September 1 to 14, 2025. The exercise focuses on sharing best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures. It will strengthen operational capabilities for joint company-level counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain. This edition is significant as the exercise is returning to India after five years. The last edition was held in Tak Province, Thailand, with 76 soldiers each from India’s Ladakh Scouts and Thailand’s 1st Battalion of the 14th Infantry Regiment.