Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre in Chennai and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry. The MRCC aims to enhance the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations, focusing on mariners and fishermen in distress. The Centre is equipped with advanced distress monitoring systems and real-time communication tools.

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ICGS Sujay, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Coast Guard, recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia. It is stationed in Paradip, Odisha, under the Coast Guard Region (North-East) command and frequently deployed for various missions. The 105-meter vessel is equipped with a 30mm CRN 91 gun, advanced navigation, communication systems, and sensors. The ship is designed for extended deployment in maritime zones, conducting missions like surveillance, search and rescue, and law enforcement.

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INS Arighat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, was commissioned into the Navy in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is an upgraded version of INS Arihant, boosting India’s naval capabilities and nuclear deterrence.
Armed with K-15 ballistic missiles, INS Arighat can strike targets up to 750 kilometers away. Launched in 2017, the submarine has undergone construction and testing at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. INS Arighat strengthens India’s nuclear triad, enhancing second-strike capability. It joins INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, as part of a four-submarine project.

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The Indian Coast Guard launched its first indigenously developed Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), Samudra Pratap, in Goa.
This vessel was built by Goa Shipyard Limited, marking a milestone in India’s move towards self-reliance in defense production. The launch reflects India’s commitment to becoming Atmanirbhar in defense and eventually a net exporter of defense equipment. Samudra Pratap is designed to combat oil spills and pollution along India’s coastlines. The ship is 114.5 meters long, 16.5 meters wide, and has a displacement of 4,170 tons.

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INS Tabar conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Spanish Navy’s Ship Atalaya in the Mediterranean Sea.
The exercise signifies India’s naval outreach and marks a milestone in maritime cooperation between India and Spain. The MPX included advanced exercises like Station Keeping, Replenishment at Sea Approaches, Flying Exercise, Steam Past, and PHOTOEX. Both navies showed high professionalism and commitment, reinforcing strong bilateral naval ties and enhancing cooperation in the maritime domain.

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Ukraine successfully tested its first ballistic missile, named Hrim-2, developed by its defense industry. Hrim-2, also known as Grim, Grom, or OTRK Sapsan, is a Ukrainian short-range ballistic missile system. It combines the features of a tactical missile system and a multiple rocket launcher. The export version of Hrim-2 has a range limited to 280 km to comply with international regulations. For Ukraine’s military, the missile’s range is extended to 700 km. The Sapsan system features a 10-wheeled launcher that carries two missiles and can evade modern air defenses, similar to Russia’s Iskander missile.

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Air Marshal Tejinder Singh became the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi. After taking his new position, he paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Tejinder Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and joined the IAF fighter stream on June 13, 1987. He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor with over 4,500 flying hours. He studied at the Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, a Fighter Base, and was Air Officer Commanding in Jammu and Kashmir. He received the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.

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The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 began at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9th to 22nd September 2024. Yudh Abhyas is an annual joint military exercise between India and the USA, ongoing since 2004. The exercise fosters cooperation between the two militaries, focusing on training, cultural exchanges, and developing joint operational skills. The previous edition took place at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.

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Russia and China have launched joint naval exercises, “Ocean-24,” in the Sea of Japan, highlighting their growing military cooperation. The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea in the western Pacific, bordered by Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. It connects to the East China Sea, Okhotsk Sea, Inland Sea of Japan, and the Pacific Ocean through various straits. The deepest point of the Sea of Japan is the Dohoku Seamount, an underwater volcano. These exercises signal significant geopolitical movements in the region.

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The 8th edition of Exercise KAZIND takes place from 30th September to 13th October 2024 in Auli, Uttarakhand. It is an annual joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan. The Indian side will be represented by 120 personnel from the KUMAON Regiment and the Indian Air Force. Kazakhstan’s contingent includes personnel from Land Forces and Airborne Assault Troopers. The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counterterrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. It focuses on interoperability, tactical drills, and sharing best practices to strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral relations.