Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The first tri-service all-women global circumnavigation expedition “Samudra Pradakshina” was flagged off from Mumbai on 7 April 2025 on board the IASV (Indian Army Sailing Vessel) Triveni. It was flagged off by Lieutenant General AK Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering, at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre, Colaba, Mumbai. The team will sail to Seychelles and return to Mumbai, covering 4,000 nautical miles in 55 days. The expedition is a part of the armed forces’ initiative to promote women’s empowerment, also called Nari Shakti. Last year, the Indian Navy launched its second all-women Navika Sagar Parikrama on board INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Tarini.

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Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tarkash joined a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha in the Gulf of Aden on April 4. It included cross-deck landings, cross-boarding, Sea Rider exchanges, tactical manoeuvres, and communication drills. The exercise helped both navies share best practices, improve cooperation, and boost operational coordination, showing strong defence ties and India’s commitment to regional maritime security.

Notes:
The 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra. The Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Uzbekistan side is represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army. Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual military training held alternately in India and Uzbekistan. The aim is to exchange best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Joint Sub-Conventional operations. It strengthens defence cooperation and improves bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.

Notes:
Russia warned Germany that if Ukraine uses Taurus missiles, it will be seen as direct involvement in the ongoing war. The Taurus KEPD-350 is a long-range cruise missile launched from aircraft. It is capable of hitting fortified and high-value targets with high precision. The missile was jointly developed by MBDA (Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia) and Saab Bofors Dynamics from Germany and Sweden. It is specially designed for deep strikes on bunkers, bridges, and command centres. This warning reflects growing tensions over Western military support to Ukraine in the conflict.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna, deployed as part of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), arrived at Nacala Port in Mozambique. INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy. It was designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited. The ship was commissioned on 15th October 2013 at Kochi and is based under the Southern Naval Command. It is meant for fleet support, coastal and offshore patrol, ocean surveillance, sea line monitoring, and escort duties. IOS SAGAR is a strategic Indian initiative to promote cooperation among navies and maritime agencies in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region.

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Indian Navy ships INS Chennai and INS Kesari successfully performed manoeuvring exercises and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills during the sea phase of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025. INS Chennai is the third and final ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers under Project 15A. The first two ships of this class were INS Kolkata and INS Kochi. INS Chennai was built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21, 2016. It operates under the Western Naval Command, ensuring security in the Arabian Sea region.

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The Philippines is hosting the 40th Exercise Balikatan, a multinational military drill from April 21 to May 9, 2025. Around 14,000 troops are participating, including 9,000 from the United States (U.S.), 5,000 from the Philippines, and 200 from Australia. Japan has joined as a full member for the first time and is conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea. The U.S. has deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), an anti-ship missile system, for the first time in the Philippines. The drills include ship sinking, aerial surveillance, island defense, and special forces operations near Taiwan’s Batanes islands.

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In response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army has resumed limited operations of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in Anantnag. ALH-Dhruv is a twin-engine utility helicopter developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The development began in 1984 with help from Germany’s Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). The helicopter had its first flight in 1992 and entered service after certification in 2002. It is “type-certified” for military use by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and for civilian use by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

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Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted “Exercise Aakraman” (Attack). The exercise took place over a large area in the central sector and involved IAF’s mainstream fighter aircraft, led by Rafale combat jets. The IAF operates two Rafale squadrons based in Ambala and Hashimara, West Bengal. In a show of strength, fighter jets and transport aircraft were active through the night, flying close to the border areas. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)-equipped aircraft conducted intense surveillance of enemy movements.

Notes:
Around 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual Balikatan Exercise 2025, which will simulate a full-scale battle scenario to deter China’s ambitions in the region. Balikatan Exercise is the largest bilateral military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States. The word “Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” symbolizing strong cooperation between the two countries. This exercise is held every year to improve military interoperability and readiness. It supports the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines, strengthening their defence partnership.