Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
In January 2026, the Indian Army created a modern warfare force named Bhairav to strengthen combat capabilities. Bhairav battalions are designed for high-speed offensive and special operations at tactical and operational levels. Around 15 Bhairav battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to 25. These units bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular Infantry. Bhairav units are technology-driven and capable of independent multi-domain operations.

Notes:
Mumbai hosted the fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day parade at Marine Drive ahead of Veterans Day. The event was held from 8 AM to 11 AM with participation of over 500 veterans, including gallantry award winners and octogenarians. Mumbai is the only city in India to host a city-level Veterans Day parade. The event was organised by the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter with support from Headquarters Western Naval Command. Tri-Services Veterans Day marks the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, on 14 January 1953.

Notes:
The Indian Army recently conducted Exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’, a joint Military–Civil Fusion exercise. It took place at the Dighi Hills Range, Khadki Military Station, under the Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area of the Southern Command. The exercise aimed to strengthen coordination between the armed forces and civilian agencies for complex security challenges and emergency situations.

Notes:
The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, also called the US military’s “Doomsday Plane,” recently made a rare appearance in Los Angeles, causing panic amid high geopolitical tensions. It is the most secretive aircraft in the US military and serves as the National Airborne Operations Center. The plane functions as a flying command post to keep the US government operational during extreme scenarios like nuclear war or destruction of ground command centers. Its mission is to ensure government continuity even in “doomsday” situations. The E-4B is a key part of the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications system (NC3), allowing senior leaders to manage nuclear forces under all conditions.

Notes:
The Indian Army signed a ₹168 crore contract for a solar-powered surveillance drone named Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System. It is developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies under Innovations for Defence Excellence of the Ministry of Defence. This is the first solar-powered drone inducted by the Indian Army. Unlike battery or fuel drones, it uses solar energy to remain airborne for long hours. It will be used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions along borders.

Notes:
Recently, INS Sagardhwani, India’s oceanographic research vessel under DRDO’s Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), was flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative from Southern Naval Command, Kochi. Sagar Maitri is a collaborative initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO under MAHASAGAR, aiming to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries through socio-economic engagement and ocean research. The mission includes the MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative) component for long-term scientific partnerships.

Notes:
India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives conducted the 17th edition of the DOSTI Exercise, which concluded on 19 January 2026 in the Maldives. The trilateral Coast Guard exercise was inaugurated on 17 January 2026 in Malé and included a maritime drill on 18 January 2026. It focused on joint training, information sharing, and interoperability to tackle non-traditional maritime security challenges. The exercise supported India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and strengthened regional maritime cooperation.

Notes:
The Indian Army has officially selected the US-based firm Shield AI to supply its advanced V-BAT autonomous drones under an emergency procurement deal, marking a major step in adopting AI-driven warfare systems. This procurement is significant as it enables India to integrate Hivemind AI software, allowing sovereign development and control of autonomous military capabilities. The V-BAT autonomous unmanned aerial system (UAS) is developed and manufactured by Shield AI, a US-based defense technology company. The V-BAT is classified as a Group 3 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) designed for long-endurance and high-risk missions.

Notes:
Assam Rifles is planning to induct two indigenous dog breeds, Tangkhul Hui from Manipur and Kombai from Tamil Nadu, to reduce long-term dependence on foreign breeds. Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, operates the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC) at Jorhat for training service dogs. Tangkhul Hui (Haofa) is a rare indigenous breed from Ukhrul district, Manipur, traditionally reared by the Tangkhul community for hunting. Kombai, also called the Polygar dog, is an indigenous guard breed from Theni district, Tamil Nadu, named after Kombai town.

Notes:
Indian Navy inaugurated MILAN Village on 15 February 2026 at Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, where Exercise MILAN 2026 is being held. Exercise MILAN 2026 is conducted at Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February 2026. The exercise focuses on anti-submarine warfare, air defence, search and rescue and cooperative security operations. It is organised along with International Fleet Review 2026 and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs. It supports the Prime Minister’s MAHASAGAR vision for free, open and rules-based seas.