Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Exercise DUSTLIK 2026 has commenced in Namangan at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area from 12–25 April 2026. It is the 7th edition of the India–Uzbekistan joint military exercise, conducted annually on an alternating basis between the two countries. The previous edition (2025) was held at Aundh, Pune in India. It aims to enhance military cooperation and joint operational capabilities in semi-mountainous terrain.

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INS Dhruv is India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship, enhancing strategic maritime capability. It was commissioned on 10 September 2021 and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The ship tracks ballistic missiles, gathers Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and supports India’s missile defence programme. It provides early warning of missile threats and helps calibrate Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems using trajectory data.

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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 Indian Army contingent has reached Cambodia for the second edition of the India–Cambodia joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026. The exercise is held at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Training Centre in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia from May 4 to 17, 2026. Around 120 Indian personnel, mainly from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, are participating. The Cambodian side is represented by about 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. The exercise is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. It focuses on counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional and semi-urban environments.

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Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat along with other laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian industry partners. DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully carried out the maiden flight-trial of TARA off the coast of Odisha on 7 May 2026. TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons. It is a modular range extension kit developed to improve the accuracy, range, and lethality of low-cost weapons against ground-based targets.

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INS Sagardhwani recently visited Cam Ranh, Vietnam, strengthening India-Vietnam scientific cooperation. It is an oceanographic research vessel commissioned in July 1994. The name “Sagardhwani” means “sound or voice of the sea.” The vessel was designed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). It is equipped with advanced scientific laboratories and equipment for oceanographic research. INS Sagardhwani contributes to marine acoustics, naval oceanography, and collaborates with Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories under the Sagar Maitri initiative.

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The Girder Laying Ceremony for the 4th, 5th, and 6th Air Cushion Vehicle of the Indian Coast Guard was held at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule Shipyard in Goa on 11 May 2026. These Air Cushion Vehicles are being manufactured under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with around 50% indigenous content. The contract for six indigenously designed and built Air Cushion Vehicles was signed with Chowgule & Company Private Limited in October 2024. The vehicles will be used for coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, interception, interdiction, and search-and-rescue operations.

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Suryastra Rocket System was recently successfully tested at Chandipur, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence technology. The system was developed by NIBE Limited in collaboration with Elbit Systems. Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system designed for precision strikes on enemy command centres, radar sites, and logistics hubs. It is mounted on a mobile 6×6 Tatra truck and can engage multiple targets simultaneously at different ranges. The system uses interchangeable modular pods capable of firing different types of munitions.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an artillery shell manufacturing plant at Savli Vihir Industrial Estate in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The project has been established by Nibe Limited. The facility will manufacture 155 mm artillery shells with an annual production capacity of five lakh shells. The entire production technology and raw materials used in the plant are indigenous, supporting the Make in India initiative.

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Oreshnik Missile is a Russian-made intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile. Ukrainian authorities recently claimed that Russia used the missile during attacks on Kyiv. The missile was first reportedly used in November 2024 against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Oreshnik is based on the RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile system. It is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. The missile is mounted on a mobile transporter-launcher for rapid deployment and concealment.