Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The next-generation civil helicopter DHRUV-NG was inaugurated at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru. The inaugural flight of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) DHRUV-NG, a civil variant showcased at Aero India 2025, was flagged off. DHRUV-NG is a 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed for diverse Indian terrain and global civil aviation standards. The helicopter focuses on enhanced safety, improved performance, and passenger comfort, marking a milestone in India’s indigenous rotary-wing aviation.

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The Albert Ekka Brigade celebrated its 56th Raising Day at Agartala Military Station with solemn ceremonies. The brigade fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war from the Tripura sector, including Operation Cactus Lily. The brigade has earned highest gallantry awards in war and peacetime, including the Param Vir Chakra. Lance Naik Albert Ekka of 14th Guards was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for bravery in the Battle of Gangasagar. The 1971 war included Operations Cactus Lily and Nut Cracker, leading to Pakistan’s surrender on 16 December 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.

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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 has declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’ to build a future-ready force. The focus is on stronger connectivity, real-time decision-making, and higher combat effectiveness. Jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power. Data centricity treats data as a key combat asset shared across platforms instantly. This enables faster targeting, efficient troop movement, and better resource use. It shifts the Army from platform-centric to network-centric warfare. The initiative supports indigenisation, defence modernisation, and seamless Army–Navy–Air Force operations.

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Mumbai hosted the fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day parade at Marine Drive ahead of Veterans Day. The event was held from 8 AM to 11 AM with participation of over 500 veterans, including gallantry award winners and octogenarians. Mumbai is the only city in India to host a city-level Veterans Day parade. The event was organised by the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter with support from Headquarters Western Naval Command. Tri-Services Veterans Day marks the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, on 14 January 1953.

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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, INS Sagardhwani, India’s oceanographic research vessel under DRDO’s Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), was flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative from Southern Naval Command, Kochi. Sagar Maitri is a collaborative initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO under MAHASAGAR, aiming to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries through socio-economic engagement and ocean research. The mission includes the MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative) component for long-term scientific partnerships.

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South Korean and United States air forces have started the Buddy Squadron joint aerial exercise at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek. The exercise aims to improve interoperability and integrated tactical skills between the two allies. Buddy Squadron is a battalion-level drill conducted alternately by South Korea and the United States. It focuses on sharing air-to-air combat tactics and integrated training. The exercise involves fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets. It strengthens joint operational readiness and regional security cooperation.

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Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting joint in-situ air exercise with Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to improve coordination and interoperability. Indian Air Force (IAF) is deploying Su-30MKI, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) and IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft. Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is participating with Gripen fighter aircraft. Exercise strengthens Indo-Thai defence cooperation and regional security synergy.

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China recently showcased the CJ-1000, a land-based scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, during a military parade in Beijing. It is developed indigenously by China and is considered the world’s first operational land-based scramjet-powered hypersonic missile. It is road-mobile and mounted on a 10-wheel diesel-electric hybrid transporter erector launcher for quick deployment. It has an estimated range of at least 2,500 kilometres. It is more advanced than hypersonic glide vehicles like China’s DF-17 and Russia’s Avangard.