Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar, commanded by Captain MR Harish, arrived in Esbjerg, Denmark, for a two-day visit. The visit aims to strengthen ties between India and Denmark, focusing on naval cooperation and cultural exchange. The crew will engage in professional interactions with the Danish Armed Forces. India and Denmark have strong diplomatic relations, elevated to a “Green Strategic Partnership” in 2020. INS Tabar, part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors and plays a key role in India’s naval operations.

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DRDO recently handed over the Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of the ‘Nipun’ munition to the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA). DGQA is a century-old organization under the Ministry of Defence, responsible for quality assurance of all defense equipment for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It tests products rigorously under extreme conditions and collaborates with DRDO on development projects. DGQA also handles import substitution, documentation, codification, and standardization to reduce component variety.

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INS Mumbai, a Delhi-class guided missile destroyer, made its maiden visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka for three days. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 22, 2001, and built at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. It has been recognized as the ‘Best Ship’ three times and the ‘Most Spirited Ship’ twice. INS Mumbai has played key roles in operations like Op Parakram, Op Sukoon (evacuation from Lebanon), and Op Rahat (evacuation from Yemen). It underwent a mid-life upgrade and joined the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on December 8, 2023.

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The Indian Coast Guard launched its first indigenously developed Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), Samudra Pratap, in Goa.
This vessel was built by Goa Shipyard Limited, marking a milestone in India’s move towards self-reliance in defense production. The launch reflects India’s commitment to becoming Atmanirbhar in defense and eventually a net exporter of defense equipment. Samudra Pratap is designed to combat oil spills and pollution along India’s coastlines. The ship is 114.5 meters long, 16.5 meters wide, and has a displacement of 4,170 tons.

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Russian troops recently used a Grom-E1 hybrid missile to hit Kharkiv, Ukraine. The Grom-E1 is a modernized weapon based on the Soviet-era Kh-38 missile. It was developed by Russia and first introduced in 2018. The Grom-E1 combines features of both a missile and an aerial bomb. It has a maximum range of 120 km, with a high-explosive warhead and a contact detonator. A variant with a thermobaric design can detonate at high altitudes. The effectiveness depends on the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft. It can be launched from Russian aircraft like the MiG-35, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57.

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The Agni-4 missile, developed by DRDO, was successfully tested on 6 September 2024 from Odisha’s Integrated Test Range. This was the ninth test of the nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The test was conducted by India’s Strategic Forces Command, which oversees all nuclear weapons. Agni-4 can carry nuclear weapons and will be controlled by the Strategic Forces Command. Development of Agni-4 began in 2007 to strengthen India’s nuclear deterrence against China and Pakistan. The first test in 2010 failed, but the first successful user trial occurred in 2014.

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The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 12 September 2024 at Chandipur Island, Odisha. This is DRDO’s second missile test, following the Agni-4 trial on 6 September 2024. The missile was launched from a vertical launcher and intercepted a high-speed target at low altitude using an advanced seeker. VL-SRSAM will replace Israel’s Barak-1 missile and be produced by Bharat Dynamic Limited. The missile defends against supersonic sea-skimming threats and has a range of 50 km with advanced countermeasure systems.

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The United Kingdom has allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russian targets. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile with low observability. It was jointly developed by the UK and France, known as SCALP-EG in France. The missile is designed to hit high-value stationary targets like airbases, radar stations, communications hubs, and ports. It is used by the air forces of countries including Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

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7th edition of ‘Exercise Eastern Bridge VII’ was conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) to enhance military cooperation and interoperability. It was held at Masirah (Oman). It involved complex air operations and tactical drills, improving strategic capabilities. The exercise fostered camaraderie through joint briefings and cultural exchanges, highlighting the commitment of both nations to regional peace and security. This collaboration aims to strengthen ties and prepare for emerging security challenges in the region.

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INSV Tarini sailed for the Navika Sagar Parikrama II, flagged off by Chief of Naval Staff Adm Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, 2024. This is the first global circumnavigation by Indian women in double-handed mode, showcasing India’s maritime strength and commitment to women empowerment. INSV Tarini, inducted in 2017, has covered over 66,000 nautical miles and participated in several key expeditions. The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication systems. The officers trained for over three years, with guidance from Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), preparing for this challenging voyage.