Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Russian Ministry of Defence has, for the first time, acknowledged the threat from Ukraine’s new short-range ballistic missile called Sapsan. The Sapsan, also known as Hrim-2 or Grom-2, is a tactical ballistic missile system developed by Ukraine. It combines features of both a tactical missile system and a multiple rocket launcher for flexible battlefield use. The export version of the Hrim-2 missile is capable of hitting fixed targets, both individual and group-based. Its range varies from 50 to 280 kilometers, making it effective for short-range precision strikes.

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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.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight trial of the Stratospheric Airship Platform in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The platform was developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) based in Agra. The airship carried an instrumental payload and reached a high altitude of about 17 kilometres. The total flight lasted 62 minutes and helped gather important data through onboard sensors. This data will help in building accurate simulation models for future high-altitude missions. The test also checked the envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, and the airship was safely recovered.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully carried out combat firing of the Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) with reduced explosives. MIGM is an advanced underwater naval mine developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, with support from other DRDO labs. It is designed to target stealth ships and submarines, enhancing the Indian Navy’s underwater combat strength. The mine has intelligent systems with ARM processor-based electronics that process sensor data in real time for precise defence action. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Apollo Microsystems Limited are the production partners. The system will strengthen India’s coastal defence and underwater deterrence.

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In Operation Sindoor, SCALP missiles were recently launched from Indian Rafale fighter jets to hit terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). SCALP stands for Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée, which means Long-Range Autonomous Cruise Missile System in French. It is also called ‘Storm Shadow’ in the United Kingdom. SCALP is an air-launched cruise missile designed for long-range, deep-strike missions. It carries conventional explosives and targets high-value, fixed or stationary enemy positions. It was jointly developed by France and the United Kingdom. It is used by the air forces of India, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

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The first Arnala Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was handed over to the Indian Navy on 8 May 2025 at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a public-private partnership with 80% indigenous content. This project is part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative to boost local defence manufacturing.

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The Defence Minister recently inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Testing Facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on May 12, 2025. This facility is an important component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The BrahMos missile is a long-range supersonic cruise missile system. It is an unmanned vehicle powered by jet engines. The missile reaches speeds of 2-3 Mach. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPOM of Russia, developed it. The missile is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.

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The indigenously developed Akash missile system played a key role in stopping Pakistan’s aerial attacks during Operation Sindoor. Akash is a mobile short-to-medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is used by both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army. It defends important locations from enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and can hit several targets at once. It can travel at speeds up to Mach 2.5 and is highly manoeuvrable. Its original version has a range of 27–30 km and can reach up to 18 km altitude.

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Recently, officials said that INS Brahmaputra, a guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, damaged in a dockyard accident last year, will regain seaworthiness by late 2025 and be fully combat-ready by mid-2026. INS Brahmaputra is the first indigenously built Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 14, 2000. It performs coastal and offshore patrolling, sea route monitoring, maritime diplomacy, counter-terrorism, and anti-piracy missions.

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Recently, the Indian Army contingent departed for the 17th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT. The exercise is scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 31st May to 13th June 2025. NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual event conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The last edition was held in Umroi, Meghalaya in July 2024. This time, 45 Indian soldiers, mainly from the ARUNACHAL SCOUTS battalion, are participating. The Mongolian side includes 150 personnel from the Special Forces unit. The exercise aims to boost interoperability in semi-urban or mountain operations under United Nations mandate.