Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) from the Integrated Test Range. The trial validated the rocket’s performance at a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, with the rocket accurately hitting its target. The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The rocket was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating compatibility with different Pinaka rocket variants. The successful test marks another milestone in India’s indigenous long-range guided rocket capability.

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The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Malvan, strengthening India’s coastal defence capabilities. Malvan is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) of the Indian Navy. It has been indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The vessel is named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra and carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Malvan. It has a displacement of about 1,100 tonnes and is waterjet-propelled. It is equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars, and sonar systems.

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The United States recently deployed the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile in Guam for the first time. The Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system is developed by the United States. It is a non-nuclear, ground-launched missile designed for long-range precision strikes. It is intended to destroy high-value, heavily defended targets such as command centres, air defence systems and missile launchers.

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Machilipatnam (BY 529), the 7th of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched on 29 July 2026. The ship has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Indian Navy. It is named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, known for its rich maritime heritage. The vessel is designed for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare. It will strengthen coastal defence and enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

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‘Nipun’, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was delivered to the Indian Navy by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam. The vessel is designed and built as per the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules. ‘Nipun’ means “adept” or “highly skilled” in Sanskrit. It is equipped for deep-sea saturation diving, underwater rescue, and salvage operations using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The vessel will also function as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) during submarine rescue missions.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise ROTOR CLAP III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan). The week-long exercise focused on the theme “Counter-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems).” It aimed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the IAF’s helicopter fleet against emerging drone threats. Nearly all major IAF helicopter platforms participated in the exercise. The exercise validated tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), mission planning, interoperability, and rapid response.

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The Indian Army contingent has departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026). The exercise is scheduled to take place from August 18–31, 2026, at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain. It aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and military cooperation between India and Thailand. Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006.

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The Department of Defence Production (DDP) notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) on 17–18 August 2026. The list includes 405 strategically important defence items, covering Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and the Indian Coast Guard. The list has been made available on the SRIJAN Defence Portal to promote indigenous defence production. The SRIJAN Defence Portal was launched in August 2020 by the Ministry of Defence. It is a single-window digital platform connecting domestic manufacturers, including MSMEs and startups, with defence procuring agencies.

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Russia has reportedly received North Korea’s KN-30 ballistic missile for the first time, according to Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency (HUR). KN-30 is a ballistic missile developed by North Korea and is the Western designation for the Hwasong-11C. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) powered by a solid-propellant engine. The missile is launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.

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INS Mangrol is the third indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) delivered to the Indian Navy. It has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under an eight-ship Mahe-class programme. The vessel has over 80% indigenous content and is designed for anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, mine warfare and low-intensity maritime operations. Mangrol is named after the coastal town and minor port of Mangrol in Junagadh district, Gujarat. The vessel uses waterjet propulsion, which provides high manoeuvrability and makes it suitable for shallow and coastal waters. It is equipped with sonar, radars, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and mine-laying capability.