Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The United States State Department has approved a possible sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur projectiles to India worth 92.8 million USD, strengthening India–U.S. defence ties. The Javelin missile is an American-made, man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It is designed to destroy main battle tanks, light armoured vehicles, fortifications, bunkers, and even helicopters. It entered United States military service in 1996 and uses fire-and-forget technology, guiding itself after launch.

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach-02/25 along the Maharashtra and Goa coastline from 19–20 November 2025. The two-day exercise involved over 6,000 personnel and more than 115 sea and air assets. It demonstrated high inter-agency coordination, operational readiness, and robust capabilities to counter maritime security threats and Anti-National Elements (ANEs) targeting coastal assets. The exercise improved interoperability, communication networks, and coordination among security, intelligence, and port management agencies.

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Indian Navy unveiled the crest of INS Mahe, the first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft. The crest features the Urumi sword from Kerala’s martial art, symbolizing stealth, precision, and lethality. Rising waves on the crest represent India’s maritime vigilance. Named after the historic town of Mahe, the ship’s motto is “Silent Hunters”. It reflects the ship’s anti-submarine warfare role in shallow and coastal waters. The unveiling highlights India’s naval indigenisation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

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Taragiri (Yard 12653), the 4th Nilgiri Class ship under Project 17A, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 November 2025 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited, Mumbai. It shows major progress in Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) in warship construction. It revives the legacy of the old INS Taragiri (1980–2013). It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) with high stealth, automation, survivability and firepower.

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Indian Army received the last 3 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, completing a fleet of 6, based at 451 Army Aviation Squadron, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). AH-64E Apache, also called Apache Guardian, is the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in the world. It performs advanced reconnaissance, precision strikes, and close air support missions. It was developed by the United States. AH-64E is the latest and most upgraded version used by the United States Army.

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Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 335, named “The Ospreys”, was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 17 December 2025. It is the second Indian Naval Squadron to operate MH-60R multirole helicopters after the first was commissioned in Kochi in March 2024. MH-60R helicopter is an all-weather, day-night platform capable of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP). The induction of MH-60R helicopters will greatly enhance the Indian Navy’s aviation strength and maritime operations on the Western Seaboard.

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China released rare footage of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile fired from a Type 055 guided missile destroyer warship. YJ-20, also called Eagle Strike-20, is a hypersonic anti-ship missile developed by China. It was first publicly displayed during China’s Victory Day military parade on 3 September 2025. The missile is designed to attack high-value naval assets like aircraft carriers at long ranges. It has a biconic aerodynamic shape that allows controlled glide after rocket boost. This shape creates shockwaves that protect control surfaces from extreme heat.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher off Odisha coast. The test was part of user evaluation trials by Indian Air Force and Indian Army. Both missiles followed the planned trajectory and met all flight objectives. Tracking was done by Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur and onboard telemetry systems. Pralay is an indigenously developed solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with high-precision guidance. It can carry different warheads for multiple target types. The missile was developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad with other DRDO labs.

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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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Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) forces have launched a major joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia called “Gulf Shield 2026”. The exercise aims to strengthen collective defence and improve regional military coordination among all GCC member states. It is designed to enhance combat readiness, joint operational integration, and efficiency in planning and execution in a unified operational environment. The drills include a wide range of procedures, tests, and field scenarios to assess force readiness and effectiveness of responses to potential threats.