Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, by the Southern Command of the Indian Army. The exercise highlighted combat effectiveness of mechanised forces operating across multiple domains. Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise, observing speed, accuracy, and synchronisation of Combined Arms formations in the Thar Desert. Agni Varsha incorporated modern battlefield technologies: unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone measures, precision strike rockets, artillery platforms, and networked surveillance assets.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended Exercise Vayu Shakti. Exercise Vayu Shakti was held at Pokhran, Rajasthan. Indian Air Force showcased operational readiness, combat power and rapid response capability. Advanced systems like Akash, SpyDer, Short Range Loitering Munitions and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems were demonstrated. Day, dusk and night operations showed versatility and high preparedness. Exercise highlighted success of Operation Sindoor and focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat with indigenous platforms.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted three consecutive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. VSHORADS stands for Very Short-Range Air Defence System and it is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS). It is indigenously designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat under DRDO with other laboratories and production partners. It is a lightweight, short-range, surface-to-air missile used to destroy aircraft and helicopters. Maximum range is 8 kilometres and it can engage targets up to 4.5 kilometres altitude.

Notes:
Sheshnaag-150 is a long-range swarm attack drone being developed in India for deep-strike military missions. It is being developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), which focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based unmanned systems and swarm robotics. It is a collaborative swarm drone, meaning multiple drones can coordinate autonomously to carry out saturation attacks on targets. The drone weighs around 150 kg and can carry 25–40 kg payload, including explosive warheads capable of damaging infrastructure or military vehicles.

Notes:
The United States and South Korea conducted the joint military exercise “Freedom Shield” involving thousands of troops. Around 18,000 South Korean troops are participating, while the number of United States troops is not officially confirmed. The exercise continued till 19 March 2026 and focuses on defence preparedness and coordination. North Korea strongly opposes such exercises, viewing them as a rehearsal for invasion. These drills often trigger reactions from North Korea, including missile tests and military demonstrations.

Notes:
India is set to receive the remaining two units of the S-400 Triumf from Russia in 2026, completing the delivery under the deal. The system was procured under a $5.43 billion agreement signed in 2018 for five squadrons, out of which three are already inducted into the Indian Air Force. The S-400 is a modern long-range surface-to-air missile (MLR SAM) system developed by Russia. It can track and destroy multiple aerial targets at once within a range of up to 600 kilometres. The S-400 provides a powerful multi-layered air defence shield against threats like fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and stealth aircraft.