Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Rajnath Singh laid the foundation of the Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. NSTL is a premier lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) is a strategic facility for advanced hydrodynamic research and testing of naval systems. It will enable indigenous design, development, and testing of ships, submarines, and propulsion systems. It supports stealth, noise reduction, and next-generation underwater technologies. The facility allows both closed-loop (submarine) and free-surface (surface ship) simulations.

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North Korea confirmed testing new cluster-warhead systems on Hwasong-11A short-range ballistic missiles, designed to destroy wide targets. The Hwasong-11A (also known as KN-23) is a short-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. The tests demonstrated the ability to disperse bomblets over a 6 to 7-hectare area using Hwasong-11 missiles, aiming to maximize damage against soft targets and infrastructure.

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India plans to equip Dassault Mirage 2000 jets with Astra Mark-2 missiles, enhancing interception up to 240 kilometres and boosting aerial dominance. Astra Mark-2 is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). More than 50 industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributed to its development. Astra Mark-1 (90–100 kilometres range) is already inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF) on LCA Tejas and Su-30 MKI.

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The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹975 crore to procure TRAWL assemblies for T-72 tank and T-90 tank to enhance minefield breaching capability of the Indian Army. The agreements were signed with Bharat Earth Movers Limited and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Limited in New Delhi. The TRAWL system, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, enables tanks to safely pass through minefields, including those with advanced anti-tank mines and magnetic fuses. The procurement falls under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, promoting domestic defence production.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation unveiled Advanced Armoured Platforms (tracked & wheeled) on April 25, 2026, at Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. These platforms were developed by Vehicles Research and Development Establishment to meet evolving operational needs of Indian defence forces. They feature an indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret with a 7.62 mm PKT gun and Anti-Tank Guided Missile capability.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Navy conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) off the Bay of Bengal near Odisha. NASM-SR is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile, replacing the Sea Eagle missile. It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO labs. The missile has a range of about 55 km and supports fire-and-forget capability in all weather conditions. It uses a solid booster and long-burn sustainer propulsion system.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched the Vikram VT 21 project featuring wheeled and tracked advanced armoured platforms. The platform is designed with enhanced armour protection against projectiles, blasts, and shrapnel. The system includes integrated weapons and advanced surveillance capabilities. It offers modular ballistic and blast protection, improving battlefield survivability. The vehicle is amphibious, enabling operations across water bodies.

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INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigate delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 April 2026. It was constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, marking progress in indigenous warship building. Project 17A frigates are advanced multi-mission warships with improved stealth, survivability, and combat capabilities. The ship was designed by the Warship Design Bureau using an integrated construction approach. It uses Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion along with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP).

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Yildirimhan Missile is a prototype intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled by Turkey to strengthen defence self-reliance and expand its strategic military capabilities. The missile is capable of targeting regions across Europe, Africa, and Asia if launched from Turkey. Yildirimhan can reportedly travel at speeds up to Mach 25, which is nearly 25 times the speed of sound and falls under hypersonic speed range. It uses four rocket propulsion engines and is powered by liquid nitrogen tetroxide fuel, which improves range and payload capacity.

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India recently successfully tested the Agni-I Missile from the Integrated Test Range. Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile developed under India’s missile programme. It is classified as a short-range ballistic missile but can function as a medium-range ballistic missile with lighter payloads. The missile has a strike range of about 700 to 1200 kilometres. Agni-I uses a solid-propellant booster derived from Indian Space Research Organisation’s SLV-3 technology.