Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The 11th edition of Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025 began at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka, on 10 November 2025 and will continue till 23 November 2025. The exercise involves 170 Indian Army personnel mainly from the RAJPUT Regiment and 135 Sri Lankan Army personnel from the GAJABA Regiment, along with Air Force teams from both nations. The aim is to rehearse Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) Mandate with focus on counter-terrorist operations.

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The Chief of the Air Staff recently inaugurated the Mudh-Nyoma airbase in Ladakh by landing a C-130J aircraft there. Mudh-Nyoma is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in southeastern Ladakh at 13,700 feet. It is just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. It is now the fourth IAF base in Ladakh, India’s highest airfield, and the world’s fifth highest. It lies near the southern bank of Pangong Tso and earlier had a mud landing strip. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) began upgrading it in September 2023.

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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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The United States recently approved a nearly $700 million sale of NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) to Taiwan. NASAMS is a medium-range ground-based air defence system designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. It was jointly developed by Raytheon of the United States and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace of Norway. It became operational in 1994 and was first deployed by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. NASAMS is used by 13 countries and has protected the United States National Capital Region since 2005.

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach-02/25 along the Maharashtra and Goa coastline from 19–20 November 2025. The two-day exercise involved over 6,000 personnel and more than 115 sea and air assets. It demonstrated high inter-agency coordination, operational readiness, and robust capabilities to counter maritime security threats and Anti-National Elements (ANEs) targeting coastal assets. The exercise improved interoperability, communication networks, and coordination among security, intelligence, and port management agencies.

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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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India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and indigenously built frigate INS Udaygiri are representing the Indian Navy at the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025. IFR 2025 is hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo from 27 to 29 November 2025, as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations. This marks the maiden overseas deployment of both ships and showcases India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

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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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Exercise Ekatha 2025 was held in Maldives from 15–17 December 2025. Exercise Ekatha, established in 2017, is an annual bilateral maritime exercise, conducted between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The 8th edition focused on interoperability and operational synergy through technical/combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition, explosive handling, asymmetric warfare, and special heli-borne drills.

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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.