Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The bilateral air exercise ‘Udara Shakti 2026′ was conducted at Subang Air Base in Selangor, Malaysia, from August 10 to 14, 2026. This exercise involved intense air combat manoeuvres and tactical sharing between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). It serves to enhance strategic ties, mutual trust, and operational interoperability between the two nations’ air forces. Subang Air Base hosts the RMAF Air Warfare Centre, which acted as the primary venue for the five-day drills involving 83 personnel.

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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 United States Army has temporarily halted AH-64 Apache training flights following a crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two soldiers. The AH-64 Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter, with the pilot seated at the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front. It is made by Boeing in the United States and used by many countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, and Japan. It can fly up to 300 kilometres per hour and has a range of 500 kilometres. It has advanced systems for communication, navigation, sensors, and weapons.

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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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The Indian Navy recently inaugurated the shore-based Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to test, validate, and maintain critical submarine rescue equipment, including the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), without requiring active sea deployment. Visakhapatnam serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command.

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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.

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India has successfully manufactured and test-fired its first 100% indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’. It was produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at the Korwa Ordnance Facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The rifle uses 100% domestically sourced components and raw materials. It is chambered for 7.62×39 mm ammunition, has a rate of fire of around 700 rounds per minute, and an effective range of up to 800 metres. Indian Army user trials are scheduled for September 2026.

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The “Eagles of Civilisation 2026” is a bilateral joint air exercise held between the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China and the Egyptian Air Force. This joint military drill is designed to enhance tactical interoperability, joint combat capabilities, and military-to-military cooperation between the two nations. This engagement underscores Egypt’s diversifying defense relations with global powers beyond Western nations, highlighting strategic security partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

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The Indian Navy continues to monitor and escort merchant vessels transiting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait amid security concerns in the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden region. The deployment forms part of India’s broader maritime-security efforts, including Operation Sankalp. Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy in June 2019 in response to the deteriorating maritime-security situation in the Gulf region. The operation was initiated particularly after attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman. Its primary objective is to ensure the safe passage of Indian-flagged merchant vessels through strategically important maritime routes. The operation covers the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.

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The German Navy successfully test-fired Israel’s LORA ballistic missile system in the North Atlantic Ocean on September 2, 2026. The test was conducted from German frigates, including the Sachsen-Anhalt (F 224), in waters between Ireland and Iceland. LORA is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It has a range of around 400–500 km.