Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Indonesia signed an MoU with BrahMos Aerospace for the phased procurement of two coastal BrahMos missile batteries worth about USD 200 million. BrahMos is a medium-range, supersonic cruise missile based on the “Fire and Forget” principle. It is the world’s fastest operational cruise missile, capable of speeds up to Mach 2.8. It is jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and NPO Mashinostroyeniya (Russia) through BrahMos Aerospace. The missile provides long-range precision strike capability against land and maritime targets.

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An Indian Navy Drishti-10 Starliner UAV crashed near Dharampur village in Porbandar district, Gujarat, during a routine training sortie, following which a Board of Inquiry (BoI) was ordered. Drishti-10 Starliner is an indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is a variant of Israel’s Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 platform and is manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace at its Hyderabad facility under a technology transfer agreement. The UAV is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It plays an important role in strengthening India’s maritime and border security.

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INS Mahendragiri, the 6th Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, with over 75% indigenous content. The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, advanced stealth features, multifunction radar, anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare systems, and electronic warfare capabilities. It is named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the warship carries the motto “Mighty, Majestic, Matchless.”

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DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) on 23 July 2026. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test took place from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. The missile successfully intercepted a high-speed, high-altitude electronic target. Kusha can neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, and large enemy aircraft over a long range and altitude. The missile, radars, and command-and-control system were developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

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Machilipatnam (BY 529), the 7th of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched on 29 July 2026. The ship has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Indian Navy. It is named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, known for its rich maritime heritage. The vessel is designed for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare. It will strengthen coastal defence and enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

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‘Nipun’, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was delivered to the Indian Navy by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam. The vessel is designed and built as per the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules. ‘Nipun’ means “adept” or “highly skilled” in Sanskrit. It is equipped for deep-sea saturation diving, underwater rescue, and salvage operations using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The vessel will also function as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) during submarine rescue missions.

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Russian Kh-101 cruise missile violated Polish airspace and crashed in Poland’s eastern Lublin region during a massive Russian air assault on Ukraine The crash created a 10-metre crater, raising security concerns in the NATO region. The Kh-101 (NATO reporting name: AS-23 Kodiak) is a Russian strategic air-launched cruise missile. It is designed with stealth features and carries a conventional warhead of about 450 kg. The missile has a range of 2,500–3,000 km. Its guidance system combines Inertial Navigation System (INS), GLONASS satellite navigation, and Optical-Electronic Terrain Contour Matching (OTCM).

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Australia is set to become the first international buyer of the US-made AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). AIM-260 JATM is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. It is designed to have a longer range than the AIM-120 AMRAAM and counter advanced threats such as China’s PL-15. The missile features a wingless supersonic design and is approximately 4 metres long. Its estimated range is more than 180–200 km, making it an important component of the U.S. long-range air-combat capability.

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The Indian Navy’s Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) ‘Shruti’ (Yard 3037) was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The vessel supports India’s focus on indigenous warship construction under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The name Shruti refers to India’s ancient Vedic tradition and the four Vedas. It will undertake missions including maritime surveillance, search and rescue, offshore asset protection, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and anti-piracy operations.

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The United States Army has temporarily halted AH-64 Apache training flights following a crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two soldiers. The AH-64 Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter, with the pilot seated at the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front. It is made by Boeing in the United States and used by many countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, and Japan. It can fly up to 300 kilometres per hour and has a range of 500 kilometres. It has advanced systems for communication, navigation, sensors, and weapons.