Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Army placed a ₹10,200 crore order for ammunition for the Pinaka multi-launch rocket system. Pinaka, developed by DRDO, is named after Lord Shiva’s mythical weapon. It can hit targets beyond 75 kilometers and launch 12 rockets in 44 seconds, making it highly effective. Armenia is the first export customer for Pinaka, with interest shown by several other countries.

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Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force received the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for supporting the Navy’s anti-piracy operations. The mission was part of Operation Sankalp, launched by the Indian Navy on March 16 last year in the Arabian Sea. The operation aimed to counter piracy and Houthi rebel threats to merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean. Key areas of operation included the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and off the East Coast of Somalia. The Navy saved lives, seized narcotics, and rescued hijacked merchant vessels during the operation.

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India has finalized a Rs 3,800 crore deal to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Indonesia after supplying them to the Philippines. The BrahMos missile is a joint venture between India and Russia. The missile is developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moscow River in Russia. The base version has a 290 km range while the extended range (ER) version reaches 800-900 km

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DRDO successfully conducted three flight trials of the VSHORADS off Odisha’s Chandipur coast. Tests targeted high-speed, low-altitude aerial threats, simulating low-flying drones. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India’s man-portable air defense missile system, known as the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). This system is designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The VSHORADS, which represents a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, is notable for its state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker, making it technically superior to existing man-portable air defense systems in the Indian armed forces.

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The 3rd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, a joint special forces drill between India and Egypt, is taking place in Rajasthan from February 10 to 23. The exercise takes place at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. It involves the special forces of both countries, focusing on counter-terrorism, high-intensity combat, and survival techniques. The goal is to improve coordination between the Indian and Egyptian Armies.

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BrahMos NG, the next-generation supersonic cruise missile, will have its first flight test in 2026, with production starting in 2027-28. It is jointly developed by India and Russia. It is lighter, smaller, and more compact than its predecessor. It weighs 1.6 tonnes and is 6 metres long, compared to the older 3-tonne, 9-metre version. It has a 290 km range and 3.5 Mach speed. It will be deployed on Sukhoi-30MKI and LCA Tejas.

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Matsya 6000 is India’s first manned deep-sea submersible, set to launch by 2026 under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). Only five nations (US, France, China, Russia, Japan) have developed manned deep-sea submersibles. It is developed under the Samudrayaan Project by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with a budget of ₹4,077 crore. It aims to explore deep-sea biodiversity, survey mineral resources, support ocean research, and enhance India’s deep-sea technology capabilities.

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INS Imphal arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, to participate in the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025. The visit highlights India’s commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR vision. INS Imphal is a Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. It is the third indigenous stealth destroyer, commissioned in December 2023. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

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The 6th edition of the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and the 4th edition of the bilateral exercise ‘BONGOSAGAR’ between the Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy commenced on March 10, 2025. The naval exercises are being conducted in the designated maritime areas of the Bay of Bengal, near the Bangladesh and Indian maritime borders. These exercises are being held under the supervision of Commander Flotilla West and aim to enhance maritime security, strengthen cooperation, and combat various criminal activities at sea.

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The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully tested India’s Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype off Chandipur, Odisha. The Astra missile made a direct hit on a flying target, proving its accuracy and effectiveness. All missile subsystems performed optimally, meeting mission objectives. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Astra can engage targets over 100 km away with advanced guidance and navigation systems. Already inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), it enhances India’s air defense. The test brings India closer to inducting the LCA AF MK1A variant and strengthening indigenous defense systems.