Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India successfully conducted a test launch of the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system. This is the first rail-based launch integrated with the national railway network. The launch demonstrates India’s strategic deterrence capabilities and cross-country mobility with reduced visibility. The Agni-Prime is a next-generation ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers. The test involved the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

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Pakistan recently tested its new long-range cruise missile Fatah-IV successfully. It is an indigenously developed missile with a range of 750 km. The missile can fly at Mach 0.7 speed (865 kmph). It weighs around 1,530 kg and is 7.5 metres long. It can be launched from transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicles. It uses solid-propellant propulsion for quick launch readiness.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine would trigger a “completely new stage of escalation.” He emphasized that such a move could significantly heighten tensions between Washington (USA) and Moscow (Russia). The statement reflects Russia’s concerns over extended-range weapons reaching Ukrainian forces. Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the United States for land-attack missions. It is launched from ships or submarines using a Vertical Launch System for highly accurate strikes.

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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to test Dhvani, a cutting-edge hypersonic missile. Dhvani is being developed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) by DRDO. Unlike conventional cruise missiles, Dhvani launches to extreme altitudes and glides toward targets at hypersonic speeds. Its flight path is unpredictable, making it difficult to detect and intercept, bypassing most existing missile defense systems. Dhvani can strike both land-based and maritime targets with pinpoint precision. The test marks a historic milestone, potentially placing India among the elite military superpowers.

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The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on 6th October 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Androth has over 80% indigenous content, symbolising ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The vessel is 77 metres long, displaces about 1500 tonnes, and is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. It is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats.

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On October 6, 2025, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed India’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) Shivalik at Visakhapatnam Port, on its maiden call. Shivalik was inducted under the Indian flag by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ltd. on September 10, 2025, enhancing India’s maritime and energy logistics capability. The vessel handled its inaugural LPG consignment at Visakhapatnam Port’s LPG terminal efficiently, facilitated by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA). The induction aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime India Vision 2030, promoting self-reliance, indigenous ownership, and global competitiveness.

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A week after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Washington visit, the United States (US) confirmed supplying advanced air-to-air missiles to Pakistan. Pakistan will receive AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) under a modified arms contract with Raytheon, US defence company,valued at over $2.51 billion. The AMRAAM is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile with “fire-and-forget” capability, speed up to Mach 4, and all-weather operation. AMRAAM is developed by the United States, compatible with F-16 jets, and also used on F-15, F-22, F-35, and other fighter aircraft worldwide.

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Taiwan will build a more defensive air system called “T-Dome” to counter China’s military actions. President Lai Ching-te unveiled T-Dome to modernise Taiwan’s defence sector and increase military and political pressure. Taiwan is expanding its military and defence spending but faces pressure from China’s large and advanced military. T-Dome supports Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare approach, creating a multi-layer defence shield. Taiwan aims to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2030. T-Dome strengthens Taiwan’s ability to target larger military forces despite Beijing’s rising defence budget and new weapons development.

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INS Sahyadri, commanded by Captain Rajat Kumar, is participating in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 25. Exercise JAIMEX 25 is conducted between India and Japan. JAIMEX 25 was held from 16–17 October in the west of Kyushu, involving Japanese Ship (JS) Asahi, JS Oumi, a submarine, 2nd Artillery Brigade (Japan Ground Self Defence Force – JGSDF), and Western Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (Japan Air Self Defence Force – JASDF). The exercise aimed to enhance tactical capabilities, interoperability, and multi-layered defence cooperation between the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), JGSDF, and JASDF.

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South Korea is set to deploy its ‘monster missile’ Hyunmoo-5 by the end of this year. It marks a major upgrade in South Korea’s conventional arsenal against North Korea. Hyunmoo-5 is a ballistic missile developed by South Korea. It is designed for deep penetration strikes using a large conventional warhead. The missile can destroy heavily fortified underground targets. It is part of the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy to deter North Korea without nuclear weapons. It was officially unveiled in October 2024.