Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The German Navy successfully test-fired Israel’s LORA ballistic missile system in the North Atlantic Ocean on September 2, 2026. The test was conducted from German frigates, including the Sachsen-Anhalt (F 224), in waters between Ireland and Iceland. LORA is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It has a range of around 400–500 km.

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INS Mysore arrived at Lumut, Malaysia, on 9 September 2026 to participate in the 4th edition of Exercise Samudra Laksamana. The exercise is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy. It includes harbour and sea-based professional engagements, including cross-deck visits and operational interactions. Sporting engagements are also part of the exercise to strengthen mutual understanding between naval personnel. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, professional exchanges and maritime cooperation between India and Malaysia.

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India and the United States are conducting the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. The exercise features Arctic-trained US soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, deployed to India’s high-altitude areas. The 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) is participating with advanced long-range precision fires and integrated command-and-control systems. The exercise will conclude on 28 September 2026. It includes a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) launched its first Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The three-day event is being held from 14 to 16 September 2026. The IAF also demonstrated ‘Vayu UTtaM’, an indigenously developed multi-mode Unmanned Traffic Management system. Vayu UTtaM demonstrated its ability to detect and track military and civil unmanned aircraft systems in real time. The system is designed to help manage increasingly congested airspace and identify and mitigate unauthorised or rogue drones. Its potential applications extend to airspace safety, critical infrastructure protection, civil aviation and public safety.

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The 18th edition of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT began at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. It is an annual India–Mongolia joint military exercise conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The 2026 exercise is held from 21 September to 3 October 2026. The Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each. The exercise focuses on enhancing joint capabilities for Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.

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The Defence Ministry signed a contract worth over ₹810 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to procure 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). SAT-SAAW is an air-to-ground precision-guided glide bomb designed to destroy or neutralise enemy airfields from a long stand-off range. It can be launched from aircraft such as Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30MKI. The weapon has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

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INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy’s sail training ship, recently reached the historic port of Alexandria in Egypt as part of the “Lokayan 26” transoceanic expedition. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sudarshini is a three-masted barque designed for imparting hands-on training in traditional seamanship, celestial navigation, and sail handling to naval cadets. The expedition aims to foster international maritime relations, enhance professional cooperation through cross-deck visits, and demonstrate India’s commitment to traditional seafaring practices across global waters.

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India’s Akash air defence system has been exported to three countries: Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Armenia was the first foreign customer and acquired multiple Akash batteries. The Akash is an indigenous Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO. It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The system is designed to engage high-speed aerial targets. Its successful exports highlight India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology and defence exports.

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Recently, Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise, has been conducted at Jodhpur and adjoining airbases in Rajasthan. The exercise involves the Indian Air Force and air forces of several foreign countries, focusing on joint training and operational coordination. Germany’s A400M military transport aircraft is participating in combined air operations with Indian and other foreign aircraft. A multinational air exercise is a planned military training activity in which the air forces of multiple countries operate together. Such exercises help participating countries improve coordination, communication, interoperability and understanding of operational procedures.

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Recently, the Indian Navy inducted indigenous TROUT underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) under the SPRINT initiative. SPRINT stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO, and TDAC and is an initiative of the Indian Navy. The initiative was launched to promote self-reliance and indigenisation in defence technology and aims to induct at least 75 indigenous technologies into the Indian Navy. SPRINT works with start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) platform. It focuses on developing and deploying niche naval combat, surveillance and other advanced defence technologies.