Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The first edition of Exercise ‘Pragati’ is scheduled to take place at Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 18–31, 2026. Exercise Pragati (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) involves 11 friendly countries. It aims to enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and mutual trust among participating nations. The exercise reflects a shared commitment to regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

Notes:
Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat along with other laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian industry partners. DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully carried out the maiden flight-trial of TARA off the coast of Odisha on 7 May 2026. TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons. It is a modular range extension kit developed to improve the accuracy, range, and lethality of low-cost weapons against ground-based targets.

Notes:
INS Sagardhwani arrived in Vietnam as part of efforts to strengthen scientific and maritime cooperation. The vessel was flagged off for the 5th edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative. Sagar Maitri is a flagship collaborative programme of the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision. MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. INS Sagardhwani is a specialised oceanographic research vessel commissioned in July 1994, designed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers

Notes:
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 began at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with participation from 12 friendly nations, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines. PRAGATI stands for “Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.” The exercise is organised by the Indian Army to strengthen regional military cooperation, defence ties, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. The two-week exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain.

Notes:
Sanghmitra was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata under the Indian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding programme. The vessel is part of the Indian Navy’s project to build 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) at GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited. These indigenously built ships will support maritime surveillance, coastal defence, anti-piracy patrols, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The vessel is named after Sanghamitra, reflecting India’s cultural heritage.

Notes:
The Defence Minister recently reviewed the progress of major HAL projects, including delays in the delivery of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Tejas Mk1A is developed by HAL. It is regarded as one of the world’s lightest fighter aircraft in its class. The aircraft is capable of offensive air support, air combat, and ground attack missions.

Notes:
India will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 from 20 July to 7 August 2026 along with 18 other nations. Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial multinational air exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is considered the flagship international flying exercise of the RAAF. The name “Pitch Black” comes from the emphasis on night-time flying operations over large unpopulated areas.

Notes:
Recently, an Indian Army contingent departed to participate in Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2026. The exercise is being held from 20 June to 3 July 2026 at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is a multinational military exercise focused on UN peacekeeping operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. KHAAN QUEST began as a bilateral exercise between the United States and Mongolia in 2003 and became a multilateral exercise in 2006. The Indian contingent consists of 40 personnel, mainly from the Jat Regiment. The exercise focuses on joint planning, patrolling, search operations, civilian evacuation, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation.

Notes:
Recently, the first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) was inducted into service by the Indian Coast Guard in Goa. The Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) are being built by Chowgule and Company Private Limited. An Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), commonly known as a hovercraft, operates on a cushion of air and can travel over land, water, mudflats, and marshy terrain. The induction aims to enhance the Coast Guard’s maritime surveillance, coastal security, search and rescue, and rapid response capabilities. The project supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.

Notes:
The Indian Navy is commissioning three indigenously built platforms in Kolkata: INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray. These platforms reflect India’s focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production. INS Dunagiri is the fifth Project 17A stealth frigate, designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). INS Sanshodhak is the fourth Survey Vessel (Large) used for hydrographic, oceanographic, and geophysical surveys. INS Agray is the fourth Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, designed for littoral warfare and underwater threat detection.