Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first indigenously designed Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Naval Dockyard Mumbai. Ship is named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. Crest shows the Urumi sword of Kalaripayattu with waves symbolising agility, precision and lethal power and mascot Cheetah represents speed and focus with motto “Silent Hunters”. INS Mahe is the first of eight vessels in its class designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. Ship is equipped with advanced weapons sensors and communication systems to detect track and neutralise underwater threats in shallow waters

Notes:
Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) signed a joint venture to produce the HAMMER Weapon System in India. HAMMER stands for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range, developed by French company Safran. It is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system, also called a glide bomb. It has a range of up to 70 km and can be attached to 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg standard bombs. It is resistant to jamming, can be launched from low altitudes, and works well over rough terrain.

Notes:
Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility at GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park – SEZ, Hyderabad has been inaugurated. It is a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It is one of the world’s largest aircraft engine MROs and the first global engine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) MRO set up in India.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity. The test was carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh. It validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy. The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A dual-sled system with LCA aircraft forebody was propelled using multiple solid propellant rocket motors.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
In response to the growing threat from sub-sonic cruise missiles, the Indian Army is undertaking a significant strategic shift by repurposing its Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) to strengthen low-altitude air defence capabilities. This move reflects the Army’s focus on countering modern aerial threats that fly low, evade radar, and target critical military and civilian infrastructure. MANPADS are portable surface-to-air missile systems that can be operated by an individual soldier or a small team to engage aerial targets. These systems are commonly known as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, enhancing battlefield mobility and rapid deployment.

Notes:
The Indian Army has joined the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II in Abu Dhabi. The exercise is conducted from 18 to 30 December 2025. Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II is conducted between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and defence cooperation between both armies through joint training in an urban environment. The focus is on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, enabling cooperation in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability missions.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) hosted Exercise AviaIndra-2025, a joint air exercise with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF), from December 15 to 22, 2025. Exercise AviaIndra reflects the long-standing Indo-Russian defence relationship and continues the series which began in 2014. Personnel from both countries are conducting joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters. The exercise enables sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and operational expertise between the two air forces.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120). The test was carried out at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. It is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) of the Indian Army. It was developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). The rocket has a maximum strike range of about 120 kilometres.