Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Navy recently test-fired a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) air defence system from INS Surat in the Arabian Sea. MR-SAM is a high-speed, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile system. It is designed to destroy enemy aerial threats such as missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. MR-SAM provides high responsiveness and precision in protecting naval assets against aerial attacks. It has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile system is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in India. This successful test enhances the Indian Navy’s air defence capabilities at sea.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight trial of the Stratospheric Airship Platform in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The platform was developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) based in Agra. The airship carried an instrumental payload and reached a high altitude of about 17 kilometres. The total flight lasted 62 minutes and helped gather important data through onboard sensors. This data will help in building accurate simulation models for future high-altitude missions. The test also checked the envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, and the airship was safely recovered.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully carried out combat firing of the Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) with reduced explosives. MIGM is an advanced underwater naval mine developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, with support from other DRDO labs. It is designed to target stealth ships and submarines, enhancing the Indian Navy’s underwater combat strength. The mine has intelligent systems with ARM processor-based electronics that process sensor data in real time for precise defence action. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Apollo Microsystems Limited are the production partners. The system will strengthen India’s coastal defence and underwater deterrence.

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The Harop drone is a loitering munition developed by the MBT Missiles Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It was recently used by the Indian Armed Forces in ‘Operation Sindoor’ to strike air defence systems in Pakistan. Harop drones can hover over target areas for up to nine hours while searching for threats. They destroy targets by crashing into them with an in-built explosive payload. These drones perform both surveillance and attack roles, unlike regular Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). They use electro-optical (EO) or infrared (IR) sensors to locate and attack enemy assets. Harop drones can operate autonomously but allow human operators to approve final strikes. They include abort features to cancel missions mid-air and prevent unintended damage.

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The Defence Minister recently inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Testing Facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on May 12, 2025. This facility is an important component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The BrahMos missile is a long-range supersonic cruise missile system. It is an unmanned vehicle powered by jet engines. The missile reaches speeds of 2-3 Mach. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPOM of Russia, developed it. The missile is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.

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During a media briefing on Operation Sindoor, military officers showed an image of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) node of the Indian Air Force (IAF). IACCS is an automated command and control system that combines data from all air defence assets. It is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector company in aerospace and defence electronics. IACCS provides real-time updates and a unified dataset that helps military commanders at various levels. It offers a full and clear picture of the airspace, improving situational awareness during air operations.

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The Indian Navy has inducted a unique stitched ship named Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka. The ship is a recreation of a 5th-century vessel inspired by the Ajanta cave murals, reflecting ancient Indian maritime traditions. It is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, who sailed from India to Southeast Asia. The vessel symbolizes India’s rich heritage in shipbuilding, trade, and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.

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Iran recently used its Fattah hypersonic missile in strikes on Israel, raising global security concerns by bypassing defence systems like Iron Dome. Fattah is a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile developed by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. It was unveiled in November 2022 on the death anniversary of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, the father of Iran’s missile program, and inducted in 2023.

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Recently, the Indian Navy announced it will commission its new stealth multi-role frigate Tamal on 01 July 2025 at Kaliningrad, Russia. Tamal is part of the Krivak class frigates that India has been inducting from Russia over the last two decades. The name Tamal represents the mythical sword used by Indra, the King of the Gods, in battles. The frigate was built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.

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Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed India’s first indigenous Photonic Radar. This is a big step for both defence and civilian radar technology. It places India among global leaders in next-generation radar innovation. Photonic Radar uses light-based (photonic) technology instead of traditional electronic signals. This technology gives higher bandwidth and much better resolution. It can detect and identify even the smallest objects with great accuracy.