Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) has upgraded the Indian Air Force (IAF) Pechora system, supporting India’s push for indigenous defence modernisation. Pechora, formally called S-125 Neva/Pechora, is a Soviet-origin surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for low- to medium-altitude threats. It has protected Indian airspace since the 1970s as a key air defence asset. The system uses radar-guided launchers with V-600 missiles and a fire control unit. It operates with the 4R90 Yatagan radar having five parabolic antennas for detection and tracking.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on February 3, 2026, from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. The demonstration positions India among elite nations with SFDR capability for long-range air-to-air missiles, providing a tactical advantage. The missile was initially propelled by a ground booster to reach the desired Mach number.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct its largest day-and-night air power exercise, Vayu Shakti-2026, on 27 February at the Pokaran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The exercise will test operational strategy, precision strikes, and weapon systems against simulated enemy targets like bunkers, bridges, and operation rooms. It will be held at the Chandan Field Firing Range near Pokaran, with a full dress rehearsal on 24 February. Operations will be showcased during day, dusk, and night phases.

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India successfully test-fired the Agni-III ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The launch was conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as a routine training exercise. The test aimed to validate the operational readiness and technical performance of the missile system. All mission objectives were met, and all parameters were successfully validated, according to defence officials. Agni-III is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a two-stage, solid-fuelled intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range exceeding 3,000 kilometres.

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The Indian Army’s Southern Command conducted Exercise Vajra Ghaat at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The exercise focused on testing the K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery gun system in desert warfare conditions of the Thar Desert. It was spearheaded by the White Tiger Division. The objective is to validate refined Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for better survivability and operational effectiveness. The drill demonstrated swift deployment of heavy artillery in harsh terrain. K9 Vajra carried out high-intensity, precise fire missions.

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The Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, by the Southern Command of the Indian Army. The exercise highlighted combat effectiveness of mechanised forces operating across multiple domains. Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise, observing speed, accuracy, and synchronisation of Combined Arms formations in the Thar Desert. Agni Varsha incorporated modern battlefield technologies: unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone measures, precision strike rockets, artillery platforms, and networked surveillance assets.

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President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended Exercise Vayu Shakti. Exercise Vayu Shakti was held at Pokhran, Rajasthan. Indian Air Force showcased operational readiness, combat power and rapid response capability. Advanced systems like Akash, SpyDer, Short Range Loitering Munitions and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems were demonstrated. Day, dusk and night operations showed versatility and high preparedness. Exercise highlighted success of Operation Sindoor and focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat with indigenous platforms.

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The United States has raised concerns about the capabilities of Iran’s Shahed attack drones. Shahed drones are low-cost, one-way-attack unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Iran. These drones are also called “kamikaze” or “suicide” drones as they explode on impact with their targets. The most widely used variants of Shahed drones are Shahed-131 and Shahed-136. Their low cost, low-altitude flight profile, and self-sacrificial nature have earned them the label “the poor man’s cruise missile.”

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The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) was recently used by the United States for the first time in operations by United States Central Command during the conflict with Iran. It is a surface-to-surface guided ballistic missile designed to strike long-distance targets with very high precision. The missile is developed mainly for the United States Army by Lockheed Martin, a major US aerospace and defence company. It has an open system architecture and modular design, allowing upgrades and integration with new technologies.

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Recently, Israel reportedly used the Blue Sparrow missile in a strike in Tehran, targeting Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Blue Sparrow missile is part of an air-launched ballistic missile family that also includes the Black Sparrow missile and Silver Sparrow missile. It is developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defence technology company. The missiles were originally designed as target missiles for testing the Arrow missile defence system of Israel. Later, the Blue Sparrow was modified into an offensive air-to-surface missile. It is about 6.5 metres long and weighs around 1.9 tonnes. The missile is usually launched from fighter aircraft such as F-15 jets, which boost it to high altitude.