Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India celebrated Deepavali aboard INS Vikrant and praised armed forces’ unity during Operation Sindoor. INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited. The carrier was commissioned in 2022. It measures 262 metres in length and 62 metres in width, with 14 decks. Its full-load displacement is 43,000 tonnes.

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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.

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India has launched its annual Trishul 2025 tri-Service combat exercise along the western border with Pakistan. It involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force and follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning over Pakistan’s military buildup near Sir Creek. Sir Creek is a 96 km tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan’s Sindh province. India issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting airspace from October 30 to November 10, while Pakistan also restricted routes on October 28–29. The exercise, though routine, is larger and more complex this year.

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In October 2025, Russia successfully tested its nuclear-powered cruise missile 9M730 Burevestnik, meaning “storm petrel.” The test took place at the Pankovo test site in the Arctic region. The missile is designed with unlimited range to evade and penetrate advanced air and missile defense systems. The aim is to enhance Russia’s strategic deterrence against current and future defense technologies. It was developed by Russia’s Defence Industry and designated by NATO as “SSC-X-9 Skyfall.” It is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise missile, both nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed.

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India will hold a tri-service military exercise named Poorvi Prachand Prahar in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a joint exercise of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance warfighting skills, technological use, and operational coordination among the three forces. It will validate multi-domain integration across land, air, and maritime fronts. The drill will test interoperability, situational awareness, and command-and-control systems in high-altitude conditions.

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The Indian Navy is set to commission ‘INS Ikshak’, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) [SVL] class, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Ikshak will be the first SVL-class ship to be based at the Southern Naval Command. It is an indigenously built hydrographic survey vessel designed for coastal and deep-water mapping of ports, harbours, and navigational channels. The vessel ensures safe maritime navigation and supports India’s blue economy operations.

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The United States (US) Air Force recently conducted a successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), planned months in advance. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made silo-launched guided missile designed for surface attacks. “L” stands for silo-launched, “G” for surface attack, and “M” for guided missile in the US Department of Defense code. The US currently maintains around 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

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Recently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China inducted the Fujian aircraft carrier after extensive trials. Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, following Liaoning and Shandong. It is China’s first domestically designed and built carrier. With this, China now has the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers, after the United States (US). Fujian is the first Chinese carrier with a catapult launch system, enabling heavier, fully armed warplanes and longer operational range.

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The Indian Army and Air Force conducted a large-scale joint exercise ‘Maru Jwala’ in the Jaisalmer desert, Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border during the 12-day ‘Operation Trishul’. The drill simulated coordinated strikes on terrorist hideouts and enemy positions, showcasing India’s combat readiness and use of advanced technology in desert warfare. Drones identified enemy locations, broadcast evacuation messages, and guided simultaneous ground and air attacks. T-90 tanks, mechanised infantry, and attack helicopters led the assault with aerial and robotic support. AI-driven logistics were demonstrated through robotic mule dogs delivering first aid and drones supplying ammunition.