Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The first tri-service all-women global circumnavigation expedition “Samudra Pradakshina” was flagged off from Mumbai on 7 April 2025 on board the IASV (Indian Army Sailing Vessel) Triveni. It was flagged off by Lieutenant General AK Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering, at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre, Colaba, Mumbai. The team will sail to Seychelles and return to Mumbai, covering 4,000 nautical miles in 55 days. The expedition is a part of the armed forces’ initiative to promote women’s empowerment, also called Nari Shakti. Last year, the Indian Navy launched its second all-women Navika Sagar Parikrama on board INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Tarini.

Notes:
The 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra. The Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Uzbekistan side is represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army. Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual military training held alternately in India and Uzbekistan. The aim is to exchange best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Joint Sub-Conventional operations. It strengthens defence cooperation and improves bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.

Notes:
Russia warned Germany that if Ukraine uses Taurus missiles, it will be seen as direct involvement in the ongoing war. The Taurus KEPD-350 is a long-range cruise missile launched from aircraft. It is capable of hitting fortified and high-value targets with high precision. The missile was jointly developed by MBDA (Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia) and Saab Bofors Dynamics from Germany and Sweden. It is specially designed for deep strikes on bunkers, bridges, and command centres. This warning reflects growing tensions over Western military support to Ukraine in the conflict.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna, deployed as part of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), arrived at Nacala Port in Mozambique. INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy. It was designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited. The ship was commissioned on 15th October 2013 at Kochi and is based under the Southern Naval Command. It is meant for fleet support, coastal and offshore patrol, ocean surveillance, sea line monitoring, and escort duties. IOS SAGAR is a strategic Indian initiative to promote cooperation among navies and maritime agencies in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region.

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The Philippines is hosting the 40th Exercise Balikatan, a multinational military drill from April 21 to May 9, 2025. Around 14,000 troops are participating, including 9,000 from the United States (U.S.), 5,000 from the Philippines, and 200 from Australia. Japan has joined as a full member for the first time and is conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea. The U.S. has deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), an anti-ship missile system, for the first time in the Philippines. The drills include ship sinking, aerial surveillance, island defense, and special forces operations near Taiwan’s Batanes islands.

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The Indian Navy recently test-fired a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) air defence system from INS Surat in the Arabian Sea. MR-SAM is a high-speed, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile system. It is designed to destroy enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. MR-SAM provides high responsiveness and precision in protecting naval assets against aerial attacks. It has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile system is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in India. This successful test enhances the Indian Navy’s air defence capabilities at sea.

Notes:
Around 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual Balikatan Exercise 2025, which will simulate a full-scale battle scenario to deter China’s ambitions in the region. Balikatan Exercise is the largest bilateral military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States. The word “Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” symbolizing strong cooperation between the two countries. This exercise is held every year to improve military interoperability and readiness. It supports the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines, strengthening their defence partnership.

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The Army and Air Force versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv have been cleared for flying again after a review by a Defect Investigation Committee. All 330 ALH helicopters were grounded after an ALH Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard crashed during a training sortie in Porbandar, Gujarat in January 2025, killing three crew members. The helicopter was also absent from the Aero India 2025 event due to safety concerns. ALH Dhruv is a multi-role helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for transport, utility, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation.

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India has recently received a new shipment of Russian Igla-S air defence missiles amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Igla-S is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) developed by Russia. It is a hand-held system that can be used by one person or a small crew. It is designed to shoot down low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight trial of the Stratospheric Airship Platform in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The platform was developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) based in Agra. The airship carried an instrumental payload and reached a high altitude of about 17 kilometres. The total flight lasted 62 minutes and helped gather important data through onboard sensors. This data will help in building accurate simulation models for future high-altitude missions. The test also checked the envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, and the airship was safely recovered.