Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to test Dhvani, a cutting-edge hypersonic missile. Dhvani is being developed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) by DRDO. Unlike conventional cruise missiles, Dhvani launches to extreme altitudes and glides toward targets at hypersonic speeds. Its flight path is unpredictable, making it difficult to detect and intercept, bypassing most existing missile defense systems. Dhvani can strike both land-based and maritime targets with pinpoint precision. The test marks a historic milestone, potentially placing India among the elite military superpowers.

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Exercise KONKAN-25 began on 05 October 2025 off the western coast of India. It is a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom (UK). The exercise has two phases, a harbour phase and a sea phase. The harbour phase includes professional exchanges, ship visits, sports events, and cultural activities. The sea phase involves complex drills in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, along with flying operations and seamanship tasks. India is represented by INS Vikrant, the indigenous aircraft carrier with its carrier battle group. The exercise reinforces the goal of secure, open, and free seas under the India-UK Vision 2035.

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On October 6, 2025, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed India’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) Shivalik at Visakhapatnam Port, on its maiden call. Shivalik was inducted under the Indian flag by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ltd. on September 10, 2025, enhancing India’s maritime and energy logistics capability. The vessel handled its inaugural LPG consignment at Visakhapatnam Port’s LPG terminal efficiently, facilitated by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA). The induction aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime India Vision 2030, promoting self-reliance, indigenous ownership, and global competitiveness.

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Recently, an Indian Army contingent of 120 personnel departed for Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia for Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025. AUSTRAHIND is an annual joint military exercise between India and Australia. This edition is led by a Battalion of Gorkha Rifles along with troops from other arms and services. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation, improve interoperability, and exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures in sub-conventional warfare in urban and semi-urban terrain. It provides an opportunity to hone operational capabilities, integrate emerging technologies, and operate jointly in a combat environment. Other India-Australia exercises are AUSINDEX and PITCHBLACK.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced plans to extend the range of the Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile to over 200 kilometres. Astra Mark 2 is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by DRDO. More than 50 public and private industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributed to its development. The Astra Mark 1 missile with a 90–100 km range is already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and integrated with LCA Tejas and Su-30 MKI jets. Astra Mark 2 will enhance India’s air combat superiority and may also be exported to friendly nations.

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The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of Exercise Samudra Shakti – 2025 at Visakhapatnam. It is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Indonesia. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen mutual understanding, and share best naval practices. It reflects the shared commitment of both nations to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s participation includes INS Kavaratti, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

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Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering a proposal from Russia to procure Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, with possible local manufacturing in India. The Su-57 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). It is designed for both air superiority and ground attack roles. The aircraft features advanced stealth, agility, and multi-role combat capabilities. The Su-57 was primarily developed for the Russian Air Force.

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India has launched its annual Trishul 2025 tri-Service combat exercise along the western border with Pakistan. It involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force and follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning over Pakistan’s military buildup near Sir Creek. Sir Creek is a 96 km tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan’s Sindh province. India issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting airspace from October 30 to November 10, while Pakistan also restricted routes on October 28–29. The exercise, though routine, is larger and more complex this year.

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After defeating Pakistan in the recent conflict through Operation Sindoor, India plans to boost its air combat power. The country is set to acquire a large number of Meteor air-to-air missiles. Meteor is an advanced radar-guided, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It was developed by European partners led by MBDA (Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia). It uses a ramjet engine for high-speed controlled flight and complex maneuvers.

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The 6th edition of India-Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX began in Hanoi. Exercise VINBAX is a bilateral military exercise between India and Vietnam. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two armies. It focuses on sharing best practices in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. The 6th edition strengthens defence cooperation and promotes closer military collaboration between India and Vietnam