Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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INS Arnala marks India’s shift from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy” by strengthening indigenous defence capability. It is the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) built for the Indian Navy. It is the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built ASW-SWC. It was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. It was commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command on 18 June 2025. It is named after the historic Arnala Fort near Vasai, Maharashtra.

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The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to procure eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. The programme is expected to generate direct and indirect employment by strengthening HAL’s production ecosystem and supporting MSMEs and ancillary industries. It will create sustained opportunities in maintenance, repair, overhaul, and life-cycle technical support. Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) utility aircraft for passenger, cargo, and special mission operations. Originally developed by Dornier GmbH (Germany) in the 1980s, it is now license-produced by HAL at its Kanpur facility.

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Indian Army and United States Army conducted 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. It is a joint Special Forces exercise between India and United States. The objective is to strengthen defence cooperation and improve interoperability and joint operational readiness. It promotes exchange of advanced Special Operations Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs). Year 2026 marks the 16th edition of this exercise. Training is conducted in realistic combat situations.

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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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INS Anjadip commissioned into Indian Navy at Chennai Port on 27 February 2026. It is the fourth ship under Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. It is named after Anjadip island near Karwar, it is designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow coastal waters. It has over 80 percent indigenous content, promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. The 77 metre, 1400 ton ship has advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare suite and Combat Management System. It follows INS Arnala and INS Androth in this series.

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Recently, the President of India undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is an indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is the only attack helicopter in the world capable of landing and taking off at 5,000 metres (16,400 feet). It has advanced stealth features, armoured protection and night attack capability. It has crash-resistant landing gear for better survivability. It reduces radar and Infrared (IR) signature and has a countermeasure dispensing system against enemy missiles.

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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 Indian Navy deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Guam to join the US-led Sea Dragon anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise 2026. The exercise includes QUAD partners: United States, India, Australia, Japan, and also New Zealand. Multiple P-8 aircraft participate, enabling better coordination due to similar systems, sensors, and data-link capabilities. The drill improves ASW skills by training crews from simulated targets to real submarine detection with 200+ flight hours. Joint classroom sessions are also conducted to refine tactics and coordination. The deployment comes as India ensures safe passage of merchant ships in the Arabian Sea for energy security.