Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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INS Imphal (D68) marked India’s 80th Independence Day with a port call at Sultan Qaboos Port, Muscat, Oman. More than 200 Indian school students in Oman visited the indigenously built destroyer. INS Imphal is a stealth guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy and was commissioned on 26 December 2023. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy. It is the third ship of the Visakhapatnam class (Project 15B). INS Imphal is the first Indian naval warship with dedicated modular accommodation and facilities for women officers and sailors.

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Russia has reportedly received North Korea’s KN-30 ballistic missile for the first time, according to Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency (HUR). KN-30 is a ballistic missile developed by North Korea and is the Western designation for the Hwasong-11C. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) powered by a solid-propellant engine. The missile is launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.

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The 16th edition of Aero India, the premier biennial aerospace and defence exhibition, is scheduled to be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka, in February 2027. Yelahanka Air Force Station has been hosting this prestigious international event since its inception in 1996. The exhibition serves as a vital platform for global and domestic aerospace industries to showcase advanced aviation technologies, promote defence indigenisation, and foster international collaborations in the manufacturing and export sectors.

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The Indian Army’s Konark Corps conducted the high-intensity ‘Rudra Raptors’ joint exercise in the desert sector of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The exercise was held under the theme “One Team, One Purpose, Absolute Battlefield Dominance.” AH-64E Apache attack helicopters of Thar Raptors and tanks of the Black Mace Brigade participated in the exercise. It focused on air-ground integration, combat readiness, communication, manoeuvre and battlefield dominance. The exercise also highlighted the Indian Army’s focus on Atmanirbharta, innovation and advanced battlefield technologies.

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The Japanese Self-Defense Force (JASDF) contingent arrived in Jodhpur for the second edition of Exercise Veer Guardian 2026. The exercise will be conducted from September 9 to 22, 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The exercise focuses on air combat manoeuvring, interoperability, operational synergy and tactical proficiency. It aims to strengthen mutual understanding and defence cooperation between India and Japan.

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INS Mysore arrived at Lumut, Malaysia, on 9 September 2026 to participate in the 4th edition of Exercise Samudra Laksamana. The exercise is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy. It includes harbour and sea-based professional engagements, including cross-deck visits and operational interactions. Sporting engagements are also part of the exercise to strengthen mutual understanding between naval personnel. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, professional exchanges and maritime cooperation between India and Malaysia.

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Lockheed Martin received its first batch of critical Patriot interceptor components from General Motors (GM Defense). PATRIOT stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. It is a US surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system designed to detect, track and intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. It is operated by the United States Army and several allied countries.

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Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Trishul made a port call at Alexandria, Egypt, from 14–17 September 2026. The Egyptian Navy ship Al Qadeer escorted INS Trishul while entering Alexandria Harbour. The crew of INS Trishul paid homage to Indian soldiers who died during the two World Wars at the Chatby War Memorial. The memorial contains 12 burials and bears the names of 19 Indian soldiers who died in ships sunk in the Eastern Mediterranean. INS Trishul conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Egyptian Navy ship ENS Bernees. PASSEX included coordinated manoeuvring, communication exercises and approaches for replenishment at sea. The exercise aimed to enhance professional cooperation, interoperability and maritime coordination between the two navies.

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Recent satellite imagery indicates that Russia is constructing a secret underground factory at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan to expand production of Geran-2 drones. Geran-2 is a long-range, one-way attack drone used by Russia in the war in Ukraine. It is the Russian version of the Iranian HESA Shahed-136 drone. The drone has a delta-wing design, with a length of about 3.5 metres and a wingspan of around 2.5 metres. It can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h and has a range of up to 2,000 km. The drone generally carries around 50 kg of explosives, while newer variants can carry up to 90 kg.

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INS Trishul has arrived at Toulon, France, to participate in the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA. VARUNA is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and French Navy. It aims to enhance interoperability, exchange operational experiences and best practices, and strengthen mutual understanding between the two navies. The exercise reflects the expanding maritime cooperation and strategic partnership between India and France.