Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Spain, from October 20 to 31, 2025. The exercise aims to foster mutual learning, enhance interoperability, sharpen air combat skills, and strengthen defence cooperation with friendly nations. This comes after IAF inducted 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft, received by Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik on August 3, 2025, two months ahead of schedule. The Airbus C-295 is a multi-role tactical airlifter used for troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, surveillance, and medical evacuation. It is known for versatility, reliability, and efficiency, with over 300 aircraft under contract worldwide.

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Recently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to produce the civil commuter aircraft SJ-100. The SJ-100 is a new-generation short-haul jet aircraft of Russian origin. It was earlier known as the Sukhoi Superjet 100, designed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. It is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft mainly used for commercial operations. It is flown by more than 16 airlines, including nine from Russia. The aircraft can seat 103 passengers and fly up to 3,530 kilometres. It offers low operating costs and performs efficiently in temperatures from -55°C to +45°C.

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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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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 Indian Army’s Southern Command, headquartered in Pune, successfully conducted the Akhand Prahaar exercise in the desert sector of Rajasthan under the tri-services exercise Trishul. The exercise validated the full-spectrum combat readiness of the Konark Corps through integrated use of all arms and services. It included mechanised and infantry manoeuvres, Special Heliborne Operations, and fighter ground attack missions by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise demonstrated strong Army–Air Force coordination and joint operational excellence. It tested next-generation indigenous technologies, including drones, unmanned systems, counter-drone systems, and electronic warfare grids.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri took part in the bilateral maritime exercise AUSINDEX 2025 in the Northern Pacific. AUSINDEX is held between India and Australia and has been conducted biennially since 2015. Aim of the exercise is to boost interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between both maritime nations. Warships and aircraft of both navies carried out joint operations including anti-submarine warfare, gunnery drills, and advanced flying operations. INS Sahyadri participated from India and HMAS Ballarat participated from Australia.

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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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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.