Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China inducted the Fujian aircraft carrier after extensive trials. Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, following Liaoning and Shandong. It is China’s first domestically designed and built carrier. With this, China now has the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers, after the United States (US). Fujian is the first Chinese carrier with a catapult launch system, enabling heavier, fully armed warplanes and longer operational range.

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America’s Anduril and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) EDGE Group are jointly developing the new Omen drone at a 50,000 sq ft research centre in Abu Dhabi as per the recent update. Omen is a tail-sitting vertical takeoff and landing drone with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. It is modular and adaptable for both military and non-military missions. It supports roles like maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection, and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) over coastal areas.

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The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs). MP-AUVs are designed for mine countermeasure missions with Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads for real-time detection and classification of Mine-Like Objects (MLOs). Deep learning-based target recognition algorithms enable autonomous classification, reducing operator workload and mission time. The system includes robust underwater acoustic communication for inter-AUV data exchange and improved situational awareness.

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Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first indigenously designed Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Naval Dockyard Mumbai. Ship is named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. Crest shows the Urumi sword of Kalaripayattu with waves symbolising agility, precision and lethal power and mascot Cheetah represents speed and focus with motto “Silent Hunters”. INS Mahe is the first of eight vessels in its class designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. Ship is equipped with advanced weapons sensors and communication systems to detect track and neutralise underwater threats in shallow waters

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Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) signed a joint venture to produce the HAMMER Weapon System in India. HAMMER stands for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range, developed by French company Safran. It is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system, also called a glide bomb. It has a range of up to 70 km and can be attached to 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg standard bombs. It is resistant to jamming, can be launched from low altitudes, and works well over rough terrain.

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The 10th edition of India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI commenced at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The exercise is conducted from 03 to 12 December 2025 and is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and Indonesian Army. The Indian contingent comprises troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent includes personnel from Indonesian Special Forces. The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between both Special Forces.

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Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Malaysia at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan from 5–18 December 2025. The Indian Army is represented by troops from the DOGRA Regiment, while Malaysia is represented by the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army. The exercise aims to jointly rehearse Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate, focusing on realistic counter-terrorism scenarios. Both armies practice full tactical drills such as cordon, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, securing helipads and casualty evacuation.

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In response to the growing threat from sub-sonic cruise missiles, the Indian Army is undertaking a significant strategic shift by repurposing its Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) to strengthen low-altitude air defence capabilities. This move reflects the Army’s focus on countering modern aerial threats that fly low, evade radar, and target critical military and civilian infrastructure. MANPADS are portable surface-to-air missile systems that can be operated by an individual soldier or a small team to engage aerial targets. These systems are commonly known as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, enhancing battlefield mobility and rapid deployment.

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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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Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarthak is an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) that made a port call at Chabahar, Iran. It is the 4th of 5 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPVs) built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are multi-mission platforms for concurrent operations. It was commissioned on 28 October 2021. It functions as a command platform for search and rescue, anti-maritime crime, and marine environment protection duties.