Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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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.

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Russia recently warned Japan over the deployment of U.S. Typhon missile systems, calling it unacceptable and a threat to Russian security. Typhon, also known as Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a surface-to-surface missile system developed by the United States. It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and can launch SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles. SM-6 has a range of over 320 km, while Tomahawk provides deep-strike capability up to 1,500 km. The system is containerized, road-mobile and highly survivable, allowing rapid deployment and precision strikes against land and maritime targets.

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Russia test-fired a mobile, solid-fuel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) on 28 August 2026 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, sending training warheads over 6,700 km to the Kura test range in Kamchatka. The researchers identified it as the RS-24 Yars. RS-24 Yars is a three-stage, solid-fuel ICBM deployed in both mobile and silo-based configurations. It can carry Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) and has an estimated range of over 10,000 km. The Yars entered Russian Strategic Missile Forces service in 2010, replacing systems such as RS-12M Topol.

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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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Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched India’s advanced Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) ‘Sagar Manthan’ at Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata. The vessel has been designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). It is being developed under Vertical-4, Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration of the Deep Ocean Mission, at an estimated cost of around ₹840 crore. ‘Sagar Manthan’ is an all-weather, multidisciplinary research vessel designed to conduct oceanographic and geophysical research, including surveys of deep-sea mineral resources.

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Lockheed Martin received its first batch of critical Patriot interceptor components from General Motors (GM Defense). PATRIOT stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. It is a US surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system designed to detect, track and intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. It is operated by the United States Army and several allied countries.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently began receiving the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, which has been officially named ‘Ankur’. It is developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The HTT-40 is designed to meet the basic pilot training requirements of the IAF. The handover of the first three aircraft marks the commencement of deliveries under a contract for 70 such trainers. This indigenous platform is equipped with modern avionics, a pressurized cabin, and advanced safety features, replacing older training assets and boosting self-reliance in military pilot training.

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Recent satellite imagery indicates that Russia is constructing a secret underground factory at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan to expand production of Geran-2 drones. Geran-2 is a long-range, one-way attack drone used by Russia in the war in Ukraine. It is the Russian version of the Iranian HESA Shahed-136 drone. The drone has a delta-wing design, with a length of about 3.5 metres and a wingspan of around 2.5 metres. It can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h and has a range of up to 2,000 km. The drone generally carries around 50 kg of explosives, while newer variants can carry up to 90 kg.

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Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 20 September 2026 to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA). The activity brings together maritime forces from ASEAN member states and eight Plus countries. It focuses on enhancing interoperability, mutual understanding and maritime cooperation. India’s participation is in line with its Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision. The deployment provides opportunities for professional and operational interaction among participating maritime forces.

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Jodhpur, Rajasthan, hosts the 2nd edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, a multinational air exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a multinational air exercise involving the air forces of friendly countries. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, tactical coordination and operational cooperation. It involves joint aerial operations, tactical training and complex aerial missions. The exercise facilitates the exchange of operational practices, tactics and mission-planning approaches. The 1st edition was held in 2024 in two phases at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and Jodhpur, Rajasthan.