Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on 6th October 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Androth has over 80% indigenous content, symbolising ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The vessel is 77 metres long, displaces about 1500 tonnes, and is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. It is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats.

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Karnataka unit conducted Regional Search and Rescue Exercise (ReSAREX–25) at the Arabian Sea off Panambur coast, Mangaluru on 8 October and 9 October. The exercise aimed to evaluate and enhance preparedness and coordination among maritime search and rescue stakeholders for Mass Rescue Operations (MRO). The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai acted as Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC), and the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, New Mangaluru functioned as the Command Post.

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South Korea is set to deploy its ‘monster missile’ Hyunmoo-5 by the end of this year. It marks a major upgrade in South Korea’s conventional arsenal against North Korea. Hyunmoo-5 is a ballistic missile developed by South Korea. It is designed for deep penetration strikes using a large conventional warhead. The missile can destroy heavily fortified underground targets. It is part of the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy to deter North Korea without nuclear weapons. It was officially unveiled in October 2024.

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The Indian Army’s Southern Command, headquartered in Pune, successfully conducted the Akhand Prahaar exercise in the desert sector of Rajasthan under the tri-services exercise Trishul. The exercise validated the full-spectrum combat readiness of the Konark Corps through integrated use of all arms and services. It included mechanised and infantry manoeuvres, Special Heliborne Operations, and fighter ground attack missions by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise demonstrated strong Army–Air Force coordination and joint operational excellence. It tested next-generation indigenous technologies, including drones, unmanned systems, counter-drone systems, and electronic warfare grids.

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America’s Anduril and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) EDGE Group are jointly developing the new Omen drone at a 50,000 sq ft research centre in Abu Dhabi as per the recent update. Omen is a tail-sitting vertical takeoff and landing drone with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. It is modular and adaptable for both military and non-military missions. It supports roles like maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection, and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) over coastal areas.

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The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs). MP-AUVs are designed for mine countermeasure missions with Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads for real-time detection and classification of Mine-Like Objects (MLOs). Deep learning-based target recognition algorithms enable autonomous classification, reducing operator workload and mission time. The system includes robust underwater acoustic communication for inter-AUV data exchange and improved situational awareness.

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The United States recently approved a nearly $700 million sale of NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) to Taiwan. NASAMS is a medium-range ground-based air defence system designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. It was jointly developed by Raytheon of the United States and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace of Norway. It became operational in 1994 and was first deployed by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. NASAMS is used by 13 countries and has protected the United States National Capital Region since 2005.

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To boost unmanned strength after Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have urgently procured more satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Heron Mk II is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is 8.5 m long, has a 16.6 m wingspan, and carries a 490 kg payload with 1,430 kg maximum takeoff weight. It flies for 45 hours, reaches 35,000 ft, and operates beyond 1,000 km. It carries Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) systems for long-range border-safe surveillance.

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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.

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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.