Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Qadr-F missile was recently in the news amid heightened Middle East tensions and Iran–Israel military exchanges. Qadr-F is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iran. It has an estimated range of around 2,000 km and is derived from the Shahab-3 missile family. The missile is a key long-range asset of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is deployed alongside Iran’s Emad and Kheiber missiles as part of its strategic missile capabilities.

Notes:
The Indian Army contingent has departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026). The exercise is scheduled to take place from August 18–31, 2026, at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain. It aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and military cooperation between India and Thailand. Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006.

Notes:
The United States Army has temporarily halted AH-64 Apache training flights following a crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two soldiers. The AH-64 Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter, with the pilot seated at the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front. It is made by Boeing in the United States and used by many countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, and Japan. It can fly up to 300 kilometres per hour and has a range of 500 kilometres. It has advanced systems for communication, navigation, sensors, and weapons.

Notes:
The Department of Defence Production (DDP) notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) on 17–18 August 2026. The list includes 405 strategically important defence items, covering Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and the Indian Coast Guard. The list has been made available on the SRIJAN Defence Portal to promote indigenous defence production. The SRIJAN Defence Portal was launched in August 2020 by the Ministry of Defence. It is a single-window digital platform connecting domestic manufacturers, including MSMEs and startups, with defence procuring agencies.

Notes:
The Indian Navy recently inaugurated the shore-based Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to test, validate, and maintain critical submarine rescue equipment, including the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), without requiring active sea deployment. Visakhapatnam serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command.

Notes:
Divyastra Mk3 is an indigenously developed jet-powered loitering munition (kamikaze drone) developed by Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt). It recently conducted its maiden flight in Uttar Pradesh, marking a step towards indigenous UAV capabilities. The drone is designed to strike high-value enemy assets, infrastructure and personnel using an onboard explosive warhead. It incorporates autonomous flight control and AI-enabled target-engagement capabilities.

Notes:
Russia has reportedly received North Korea’s KN-30 ballistic missile for the first time, according to Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency (HUR). KN-30 is a ballistic missile developed by North Korea and is the Western designation for the Hwasong-11C. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) powered by a solid-propellant engine. The missile is launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has incorporated a joint venture with France-based Safran Helicopter Engines. The joint venture is named Safhal Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL). SAFHAL will design, develop, certify, produce, sell and support helicopter engines in India. The partnership is aimed at strengthening indigenous helicopter-engine manufacturing and supporting India’s defence aerospace capabilities.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the first flight trial of the indigenous Khagantak-243 long-range glide bomb at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, after releasing it from a Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The trial successfully met its objectives and is aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous long-range strike capability and reducing dependence on imported precision-guided munitions. The glide bomb is designed to strike targets from considerable distances while allowing the launching aircraft to remain outside the effective range of enemy air-defence systems. It can reportedly cover 144–180 km when released from around 12 km altitude at Mach 0.8.

Notes:
The 16th edition of Aero India, the premier biennial aerospace and defence exhibition, is scheduled to be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka, in February 2027. Yelahanka Air Force Station has been hosting this prestigious international event since its inception in 1996. The exhibition serves as a vital platform for global and domestic aerospace industries to showcase advanced aviation technologies, promote defence indigenisation, and foster international collaborations in the manufacturing and export sectors.