Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted its first Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), Samudra Pratap, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). Samudra Pratap is the first indigenously designed and built PCV of the ICG. The vessel was formally delivered during an induction ceremony. It is equipped with a 30 millimetre CRN-91 gun and two 12.7 millimetre stabilised remote-controlled guns with integrated fire control systems. The vessel has over 60% indigenous content, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Samudra Pratap will aid marine pollution control, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and protection of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

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Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced that the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has officially entered active service. A brief induction ceremony was held in Belarus, where the missiles have been deployed. Oreshnik is an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile developed by Russia. It is named after the Russian word for “hazel tree.” It has a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres and can reach speeds up to Mach 10, or ten times the speed of sound. The missile is mobile and solid-fuel powered, allowing rapid deployment.

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Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II concluded at Al-Hamra Training City, Abu Dhabi, from 18–30 December. It was a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces, strengthening defence partnership and regional security. Training combined classroom instruction and field exercises, focusing on urban operations and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. Troops practiced urban combat, building clearance, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid, heliborne operations, air assault missions, and platoon-level assaults. The exercise enhanced interoperability, operational synergy, and standardisation of tactics for future multinational operations.

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A rare U.S. Air Force RQ-170 “Sentinel” stealth surveillance drone was recently spotted returning to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico. The drone returned after U.S. military strikes conducted overnight against targets in Venezuela. The RQ-170 Sentinel is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the United States. It was designed and manufactured by Skunk Works, a division of Lockheed Martin, for the United States Air Force (USAF). The drone is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and electronic warfare missions over target areas.

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Pakistan Air Force recently conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Taimoor Weapon System. Taimoor is an air-launched cruise missile developed by Pakistan. It is designed to hit enemy land and sea targets with high precision. It uses subsonic turbojet propulsion, enabling efficient long-range flight. The missile has a strike range of up to 600 kilometres with a conventional warhead. Its stealth features include a box-shaped fuselage, X-type tail, and foldable wings. It flies at very low altitude to evade enemy air and missile defence systems.

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The Indian Army signed a ₹168 crore contract for a solar-powered surveillance drone named Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System. It is developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies under Innovations for Defence Excellence of the Ministry of Defence. This is the first solar-powered drone inducted by the Indian Army. Unlike battery or fuel drones, it uses solar energy to remain airborne for long hours. It will be used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions along borders.

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On the 10th Armed Forces Veterans Day, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. Operation Pawan was conducted by the IPKF after the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord on 29 July 1987. The IPKF was deployed in Sri Lanka until March 1990, when it withdrew following a change in the Sri Lankan government’s policy. The operation involved significant bravery and sacrifice by Indian soldiers, now formally recognised and honoured by the government.

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Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted a joint Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) response drill in Mumbai. Both sides emphasised enhanced maritime cooperation, interoperability, and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The exercise took place onboard ICG’s pollution response vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari. The drill involved ICG Pollution Response Strike Team and JCG National Strike Team, focusing on hazardous chemical spill response. Prior planning, classroom sessions, and rehearsals ensured coordinated operational readiness. The Japanese delegation also visited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited to learn about India’s shipbuilding capabilities.

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China has revealed a major upgrade in its undersea nuclear strength with the Type 096 Tang-Class submarine. It is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) designed and built by China for strategic nuclear deterrence. The submarine is larger and stealthier, with a submerged displacement of about 20,000 tonnes, similar to United States Ohio-class submarines. It uses advanced noise-reduction technologies to reduce detection by enemy forces.

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India will debut its Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LR-AShM) at the 77th Republic Day parade, marking entry into the hypersonic anti-ship weapons club. LR-AShM is an indigenous missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy. It is designed to destroy high-value naval targets like aircraft carrier battle groups at very long ranges. The missile enhances maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and strengthens Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capability.