Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India and the Philippines held their first joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, marking a bold strategic move. The two-day exercise began on August 3, 2025, involving Indian and Philippine navy ships. It took place amid growing tensions with China, which claims most of the South China Sea. The exercise was led by Gen. Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). India and the Philippines aim to promote freedom of navigation, maritime security, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

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Post Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing for rapid progress on Project Kusha. Project Kusha, also called Program Long Range Surface to Air Missile (PGLRSAM), was approved in 2022 with a budget of ₹21,700 crore. It is an indigenous initiative led by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a long-range air defence missile system. Phase 1 includes four interceptor variants: M1 (range 150 km), M2 (250 km), M3 (350–400 km), and Naval variant (200–300 km). Phase 2 aims to develop an even longer-range interceptor exceeding 600 km. The project strengthens India’s strategic air defence capabilities.

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India will soon induct its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, enhancing strategic defence capabilities. INS Aridhaman is the second Arihant-class SSBN being built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam. The submarine is 112 meters long, 15 meters wide, with a draft of 10 meters, and a displacement of 7,000 tonnes. It will carry a larger number of K-4 missiles and have a complement of about 95 officers and sailors. It features an underwater communications system, twin flank-array sonars, and Rafael broadband expendable anti-torpedo countermeasures.

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Indian Army organised the maiden Exercise Aarogya Setu at Rupai, Doomdooma in Tinsukia district of Assam. It was the first civil-military medical fusion exercise in the region. It aims to strengthen cooperation between Army Medical Corps, senior civil doctors, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Northern Frontier Railway Hospital, Tinsukia. The focus was on joint response of Army and Civil medical teams during disasters and war-like situations. A doctor from Northern Frontier Railway Hospital introduced the concept of train ambulances for large-scale casualty evacuation.

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On 26 August 2025, Indian Navy commissioned Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri at Naval Base Visakhapatnam. They are part of Project 17 (Shivalik) class frigates designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB). INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai, and INS Himgiri by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Udaygiri became the fastest ship of her class to be delivered post-launch through modular construction. Their commissioning strengthens Navy’s combat readiness and showcases India’s self-reliance in warship design and construction.

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China showcased its military power at the ‘Victory Day’ parade in Beijing on September 3. It officially unveiled the JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), a nuclear-capable weapon. JL-1 is deployed from the H-6N strategic bomber and can strike targets 3,000–4,000 km away. Unlike gravity bombs, it can be launched mid-air, avoiding hostile airspace entry. H-6N bombers have aerial refueling capability, extending range to 5,000 km for long-distance strikes. JL-1 strengthens China’s nuclear triad, joining the U.S. and Russia in full land-sea-air nuclear strike ability. It boosts China’s “second strike capability,” ensuring retaliation even after a first strike. Analysts warn it makes nuclear attacks harder to detect or intercept, heightening global security concerns.

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INS Aravali, a new shore-based naval facility, was commissioned in Gurugram to boost the Indian Navy’s information warfare and maritime domain awareness. Strategically located in the National Capital Region (NCR), it will support Navy’s command and control network. The base reflects Prime Minister’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). INS Aravali is named after the Aravali range, symbolising vigilance, endurance, and foresight. Its crest shows mountains and a rising sun, and its motto is “Maritime Security through Collaboration.” It consolidates India’s role as the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

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The Indian Army conducted Exercise Siyom Prahar from 8–10 September 2025 in Arunachal Pradesh to validate drone use in tactical operations. The exercise aimed to integrate drones across tactical and operational levels under realistic battlefield conditions. Drones were employed for persistent surveillance, battlefield reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes. The exercise focused on developing and validating new tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for future battlefields. It demonstrated integration of drone inputs with conventional firepower, joint targeting, and rapid decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios.

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The Indian Navy has commissioned its first 3D Air Surveillance Radar (3D-ASR) aboard a warship. The radar, called Lanza-N, is developed by Tata Advanced Systems with Spanish defence company Indra. This is the first time Lanza-N is operational outside Spain. Tata Advanced Systems became the first Indian company to build and integrate next-generation naval surveillance radars. The radar passed sea trials with naval and aerial platforms across different radar cross-sections. A radar assembly and testing facility is set up in Karnataka to speed up deliveries. Lanza-N can detect drones, supersonic fighters, anti-radiation missiles, and naval platforms.

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Russia recently announced it fired a Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic cruise missile at a target in the Barents Sea. Sukhoi Su-34 supersonic fighter-bombers also carried out strikes as part of drills with Belarus. The joint exercise, called Zapad (West), began on September 12 to improve military command and coordination in case of an attack on Russia or Belarus. The 3M22 Zircon, NATO code SS-N-33, is a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile developed by Russia. It was first built to strike naval targets but later upgraded for land-attack missions.