Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The NATO is deploying the U.S. Patriot Missile Defence System to the southern province of Adana to strengthen regional air defence capabilities. PATRIOT stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. It is a ground-based, mobile missile defence system developed by the United States. The system is designed to detect, track, and intercept aerial threats with high precision.

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The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Taragiri (F41), a stealth frigate, on 03 April 2026. It is the fourth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited and designed by the Warship Design Bureau. The ship is a modern reincarnation of the earlier INS Taragiri (Leander-class frigate) and is built for high-speed, high-endurance, multi-dimensional naval operations.

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Vayu Baan is India’s first helicopter-launched drone system developed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a small, autonomous drone dropped from a moving helicopter mid-flight.After release, it unfolds wings, activates propulsion, and functions as surveillance (ISR) or precision-guided munition (kamikaze drone). The program is an indigenous Air-Launched Effects (ALE) project led by IAF’s Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD). It aims to provide stand-off capability to identify and destroy targets beyond 50 km, keeping helicopters safe from MANPADS.

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Indian Navy hosted IMEX TTX 2026 (IONS Maritime Exercise Tabletop Exercise 2026) at Maritime Warfare Centre, Southern Naval Command, Kochi. It involved members of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and international officers to discuss maritime security. Countries like Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Timor-Leste participated. India assumes IONS Chairmanship (2026–2028) after 16 years.

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The Tri-Service exercise “Dweep Shakti” was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force from March 24 to March 28. The exercise aimed to validate integrated capabilities for rapid response in coastal and island defence operations. It involved coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations, and complex beach landing drills. Advanced next-generation equipment and drones were used, highlighting improved precision and interoperability among the three services. The exercise helped refine integrated tactics, techniques, and procedures, strengthening multi-domain operational capability.

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Indian Air Force is preparing to induct unmanned stealth fighters under the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme. RPSA aims to develop Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) named Ghatak UCAV. Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles carry missiles and bombs for autonomous strike and combat operations. Ghatak features a stealthy flying-wing design for low radar detection. It can conduct deep-strike missions in heavily defended airspace without risking pilots.

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Rajnath Singh laid the foundation of the Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. NSTL is a premier lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) is a strategic facility for advanced hydrodynamic research and testing of naval systems. It will enable indigenous design, development, and testing of ships, submarines, and propulsion systems. It supports stealth, noise reduction, and next-generation underwater technologies. The facility allows both closed-loop (submarine) and free-surface (surface ship) simulations.

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INS Taragiri was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 3, 2026, at Visakhapatnam by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is the fourth ship of the Project 17A class, designed by the Warship Design Bureau. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, it has over 75% indigenous content with MSME support. The frigate features advanced stealth technology with reduced radar cross-section. It supports multi-role operations: combat, surveillance, anti-piracy, and humanitarian missions.

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INS Dhruv is India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship, enhancing strategic maritime capability. It was commissioned on 10 September 2021 and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The ship tracks ballistic missiles, gathers Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and supports India’s missile defence programme. It provides early warning of missile threats and helps calibrate Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems using trajectory data.

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INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy and recently visited Gan, strengthening India–Maldives maritime cooperation. It belongs to the Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. It was commissioned on 14 October 2010. The ship is named after Kalpeni Island of Lakshadweep. It is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. Its roles include coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, boarding operations, and search and rescue.