Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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President Droupadi Murmu undertook her maiden submarine sortie on December 28. She boarded the Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer at Karwar naval base. With this, she became the second President of India to go on a submarine sortie. The first Indian President to do so was Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. INS Vaghsheer is a Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy. The event highlights civilian leadership’s close engagement with India’s naval forces. It reflects confidence in India’s indigenously built and advanced submarine capabilities

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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.

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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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In January 2026, the Indian Army created a modern warfare force named Bhairav to strengthen combat capabilities. Bhairav battalions are designed for high-speed offensive and special operations at tactical and operational levels. Around 15 Bhairav battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to 25. These units bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular Infantry. Bhairav units are technology-driven and capable of independent multi-domain operations.

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India’s indigenous Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) will be showcased at the Republic Day parade on 26 January. LRAShM is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) like LRAShM glide unpredictably after rocket launch, unlike traditional ballistic missiles. The missile combines extreme speed and maneuverability, making it hard to intercept with current air defenses.

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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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More animals were showcased during the Republic Day Parade, highlighting the role of the Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC). Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) is a specialised corps responsible for the breeding, rearing, training and veterinary care of Army animals such as horses, mules and dogs. It ensures operational readiness of animals for combat, logistics, reconnaissance and counter-terrorism operations. The headquarters of the RVC is located in Meerut.

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The Indian Army has officially selected the US-based firm Shield AI to supply its advanced V-BAT autonomous drones under an emergency procurement deal, marking a major step in adopting AI-driven warfare systems. This procurement is significant as it enables India to integrate Hivemind AI software, allowing sovereign development and control of autonomous military capabilities. The V-BAT autonomous unmanned aerial system (UAS) is developed and manufactured by Shield AI, a US-based defense technology company. The V-BAT is classified as a Group 3 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) designed for long-endurance and high-risk missions.