Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Navy announced that INS Aridhaman, India’s third Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), will soon be inducted. It is the second submarine of the Arihant class, built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam. It has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes on surface and 7,000 tonnes submerged, powered by an 83 Megawatt (MW) pressurized water reactor from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). INS Arighaat is India’s second indigenously built Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), following the first SSBN INS Arihant.

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The Indian Navy deployed INS Gharial and three other naval vessels under Operation Sagar Bandhu to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to cyclone-affected regions of Sri Lanka. INS Gharial (L23) is a Magar-class amphibious warfare ship of the Indian Navy designed for transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment for amphibious operations. It is the second indigenously built Landing Ship Tank (Large), highlighting India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities. The ship was constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). INS Gharial is among the largest ships of the Indian Navy and is part of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command.

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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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The U.S. Army and U.S. Navy recently completed integrated testing of the Dark Eagle Long‑Range Hypersonic Weapon system, marking a major milestone in America’s hypersonic weapons development. The Dark Eagle Long‑Range Hypersonic Weapon is a non‑nuclear, ground‑launched hypersonic missile system being developed for the U.S. Army as part of U.S. hypersonic modernization efforts. The missile component of the Long‑Range Hypersonic Weapon program is jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, two leading American defense companies.

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‘Anjadip’, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 22 December 2025 at Chennai. The ship is indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. It is equipped with Lightweight Torpedoes, indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Rockets, and shallow water SONAR, enabling detection and engagement of underwater threats. It enhances the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare, coastal surveillance, and mine-laying capabilities.

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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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The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has commissioned an upgraded Type 052D guided missile destroyer named Loudi. The induction reflects China’s rapid naval expansion to narrow the gap with United States naval strength. The warship adopts a new system and operational architecture. It has improved combat capabilities in air defence and sea attack roles. The destroyer also strengthens task force command and coordination abilities. The commissioning highlights China’s focus on modern, network-centric naval warfare.

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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.

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Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab showcased the RBS-15 missile’s ability to destroy parts of the Russian S-400 air defence system. RBS-15 stands for Robotsystem-15 and is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile with land-attack capability. It is a surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missile developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics of Sweden. The missile is 4.35 metres long, weighs about 800 kilograms at launch, and flies at subsonic speed of Mach 0.9. It has a range of about 200 kilometres with a 200 kilogram high-explosive warhead. It flies low over the sea, performs evasive manoeuvres, and has low radar and infrared signatures.

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The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini will undertake Lokayan 26, a 10-month transoceanic flagship expedition. INS Sudarshini is an indigenously built Sail Training Ship (STS) of the Indian Navy. It was constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited and is based at Kochi, Kerala, under the Southern Naval Command. The ship was commissioned on 27 January 2012. Such ships train sailors to survive independently at sea, handle rough weather, and develop core seamanship skills. INS Sudarshini is a three-masted barque capable of operating under sail or engine power.