Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Navy recently inducted its 11th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 25 (Yard 135) at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. A barge is a large flat-bottomed vessel used to transport heavy cargo along inland waterways or ports. LSAM stands for Landing Ship Ammunition, designed to safely carry ammunition and missiles. LSAM 25 improves Navy logistics by supporting transport, embarkation, and disembarkation of ammunition at jetties and outer harbours. It was built by MSME shipyard M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane under a Ministry of Defence contract. The induction reflects India’s defence indigenisation under Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

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INS Sahyadri, commanded by Captain Rajat Kumar, is participating in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 25. Exercise JAIMEX 25 is conducted between India and Japan. JAIMEX 25 was held from 16–17 October in the west of Kyushu, involving Japanese Ship (JS) Asahi, JS Oumi, a submarine, 2nd Artillery Brigade (Japan Ground Self Defence Force – JGSDF), and Western Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (Japan Air Self Defence Force – JASDF). The exercise aimed to enhance tactical capabilities, interoperability, and multi-layered defence cooperation between the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), JGSDF, and JASDF.

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India has launched its annual Trishul 2025 tri-Service combat exercise along the western border with Pakistan. It involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force and follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning over Pakistan’s military buildup near Sir Creek. Sir Creek is a 96 km tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan’s Sindh province. India issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting airspace from October 30 to November 10, while Pakistan also restricted routes on October 28–29. The exercise, though routine, is larger and more complex this year.

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Recently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to produce the civil commuter aircraft SJ-100. The SJ-100 is a new-generation short-haul jet aircraft of Russian origin. It was earlier known as the Sukhoi Superjet 100, designed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. It is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft mainly used for commercial operations. It is flown by more than 16 airlines, including nine from Russia. The aircraft can seat 103 passengers and fly up to 3,530 kilometres. It offers low operating costs and performs efficiently in temperatures from -55°C to +45°C.

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The Indian Navy is set to commission ‘INS Ikshak’, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) [SVL] class, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Ikshak will be the first SVL-class ship to be based at the Southern Naval Command. It is an indigenously built hydrographic survey vessel designed for coastal and deep-water mapping of ports, harbours, and navigational channels. The vessel ensures safe maritime navigation and supports India’s blue economy operations.

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The 11th edition of Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025 began at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka, on 10 November 2025 and will continue till 23 November 2025. The exercise involves 170 Indian Army personnel mainly from the RAJPUT Regiment and 135 Sri Lankan Army personnel from the GAJABA Regiment, along with Air Force teams from both nations. The aim is to rehearse Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) Mandate with focus on counter-terrorist operations.

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The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs). MP-AUVs are designed for mine countermeasure missions with Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads for real-time detection and classification of Mine-Like Objects (MLOs). Deep learning-based target recognition algorithms enable autonomous classification, reducing operator workload and mission time. The system includes robust underwater acoustic communication for inter-AUV data exchange and improved situational awareness.

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Recently, France released images of its new nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missile, the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Renove (ASMPA-R), for the first time. ASMPA-R was developed by France as the latest version of the ASMP medium-range missile family. It is a crucial part of France’s nuclear deterrence and supports the air-based leg of its nuclear triad. It uses a ramjet engine with dual air intakes for sustained supersonic flight at about Mach 3.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri took part in the bilateral maritime exercise AUSINDEX 2025 in the Northern Pacific. AUSINDEX is held between India and Australia and has been conducted biennially since 2015. Aim of the exercise is to boost interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between both maritime nations. Warships and aircraft of both navies carried out joint operations including anti-submarine warfare, gunnery drills, and advanced flying operations. INS Sahyadri participated from India and HMAS Ballarat participated from Australia.

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Taragiri (Yard 12653), the 4th Nilgiri Class ship under Project 17A, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 November 2025 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited, Mumbai. It shows major progress in Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) in warship construction. It revives the legacy of the old INS Taragiri (1980–2013). It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) with high stealth, automation, survivability and firepower.