Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab showcased the RBS-15 missile’s ability to destroy parts of the Russian S-400 air defence system. RBS-15 stands for Robotsystem-15 and is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile with land-attack capability. It is a surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missile developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics of Sweden. The missile is 4.35 metres long, weighs about 800 kilograms at launch, and flies at subsonic speed of Mach 0.9. It has a range of about 200 kilometres with a 200 kilogram high-explosive warhead. It flies low over the sea, performs evasive manoeuvres, and has low radar and infrared signatures.

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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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China recently showcased the CJ-1000, a land-based scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, during a military parade in Beijing. It is developed indigenously by China and is considered the world’s first operational land-based scramjet-powered hypersonic missile. It is road-mobile and mounted on a 10-wheel diesel-electric hybrid transporter erector launcher for quick deployment. It has an estimated range of at least 2,500 kilometres. It is more advanced than hypersonic glide vehicles like China’s DF-17 and Russia’s Avangard.

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The 7th edition of the joint military exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN between India and Japan has commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, in Uttarakhand. The exercise is being conducted from 24 February to 9 March 2026. The exercise is held alternately in India and Japan and serves as an important pillar of defence cooperation between the two countries. The primary objective of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is to strengthen military collaboration and enhance joint operational capabilities in a semi-urban environment.

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Reports indicate that Iran is close to finalising a defence deal with China to procure CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to strengthen its naval strike capability. The CM-302 is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by China and is the export variant of the YJ-12 missile deployed by the Chinese Navy. The missile is specifically designed to target and destroy large naval vessels and other high-value maritime assets. It is powered by a liquid direct-flow air-breathing jet engine with four air intakes, enabling sustained high-speed flight. The missile can travel at speeds of around Mach 2.5 to Mach 3, making it extremely difficult for enemy air defence systems to intercept.

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The Southern Air Command conducts a high-tempo joint maritime exercise named Kalari Leap in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago. The exercise validates joint planning, rapid force projection and precise operations in complex maritime environments. The Armed Forces Special Operations Division and the Indian Coast Guard participate in the joint drill. Indian Air Force assets operate alongside Coast Guard ships, Gemini boats and Dornier 228 aircraft. The exercise demonstrates readiness for integrated air, maritime and special operations in island territories.

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Prime Minister’s second state visit to Israel focuses on defence cooperation and acquiring Sky Sting missile for Indian Air Force (IAF). Sky Sting is a 6th-generation Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It is developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited, an Israeli defence technology company. It is lightweight and can be fitted on Tejas Mk1A and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. It has a strike range of about 250 kilometres. It uses a three-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor and can reach speeds above Mach 5.

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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 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.