Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The 14th edition of Exercise Ekuverin 2025 has started from 2 December and will run till 15 December at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. “Ekuverin” means “Friends” in the Dhivehi language and it began in 2009. It is a bilateral annual military exercise conducted alternately between India and the Maldives. It involves the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces. It focuses on Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorism (CT) operations in semi-urban, jungle, and coastal areas. It also promotes niche technology integration, sharing of best practices, and regional peace and security.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity. The test was carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh. It validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy. The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A dual-sled system with LCA aircraft forebody was propelled using multiple solid propellant rocket motors.

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The Indian Navy announced that INS Aridhaman, India’s third Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), will soon be inducted. It is the second submarine of the Arihant class, built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam. It has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes on surface and 7,000 tonnes submerged, powered by an 83 Megawatt (MW) pressurized water reactor from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). INS Arighaat is India’s second indigenously built Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), following the first SSBN INS Arihant.

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Indian Army received the last 3 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, completing a fleet of 6, based at 451 Army Aviation Squadron, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). AH-64E Apache, also called Apache Guardian, is the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in the world. It performs advanced reconnaissance, precision strikes, and close air support missions. It was developed by the United States. AH-64E is the latest and most upgraded version used by the United States Army.

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The Indian Army has joined the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II in Abu Dhabi. The exercise is conducted from 18 to 30 December 2025. Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II is conducted between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and defence cooperation between both armies through joint training in an urban environment. The focus is on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, enabling cooperation in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability missions.

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The Indian Coast Guard conducted the Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise 2025 (RPREX-2025) in Mumbai. The exercise focused on tackling oil pollution at sea. A mock scenario involved a Motor Tanker sending a distress call after a collision with a fishing boat. The collision caused a hole in the tanker and heavy crude oil spillage into the sea. A specialised Indian Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessel and two other ships were deployed. Ships operated in full pollution response configuration. The exercise tested coordination and readiness of all stakeholders. It was conducted as per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.

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Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II concluded at Al-Hamra Training City, Abu Dhabi, from 18–30 December. It was a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces, strengthening defence partnership and regional security. Training combined classroom instruction and field exercises, focusing on urban operations and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. Troops practiced urban combat, building clearance, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid, heliborne operations, air assault missions, and platoon-level assaults. The exercise enhanced interoperability, operational synergy, and standardisation of tactics for future multinational operations.

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The Albert Ekka Brigade celebrated its 56th Raising Day at Agartala Military Station with solemn ceremonies. The brigade fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war from the Tripura sector, including Operation Cactus Lily. The brigade has earned highest gallantry awards in war and peacetime, including the Param Vir Chakra. Lance Naik Albert Ekka of 14th Guards was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for bravery in the Battle of Gangasagar. The 1971 war included Operations Cactus Lily and Nut Cracker, leading to Pakistan’s surrender on 16 December 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.

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The Indian Army has declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’ to build a future-ready force. The focus is on stronger connectivity, real-time decision-making, and higher combat effectiveness. Jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power. Data centricity treats data as a key combat asset shared across platforms instantly. This enables faster targeting, efficient troop movement, and better resource use. It shifts the Army from platform-centric to network-centric warfare. The initiative supports indigenisation, defence modernisation, and seamless Army–Navy–Air Force operations.

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Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commissioned ICGS Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), on 5th January 2026 in Goa. The ship is the largest in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) fleet and has over 60% indigenous content, with plans to increase to 90%. It enhances the ICG’s capabilities in pollution control, firefighting, maritime safety, coastal patrol, and extended surveillance. It is equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, side-sweeping arms, skimmers, floating booms, and a pollution control lab, it can operate even in rough seas.