Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India and South Korea are set to deepen their defence partnership following the successful collaboration on the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzer. The collaboration reflects the growing focus on defence manufacturing, technology transfer, and strategic cooperation between the two countries. K9 Vajra-T is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer. It is the Indian version of South Korea’s K9 Thunder. It is manufactured by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with technology transferred from Hanwha Defense (South Korea). It is designed for operations in deserts, plains, and high-altitude regions. It is equipped with a 155 mm/52 calibre gun capable of firing high-explosive, smoke, and guided projectiles.

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India and Indonesia signed a deal for the supply of Astra Mk 1 missiles, marking a major step in bilateral defence cooperation. Astra Mk 1 is an indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile is designed for use by both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. It has a range of 80–110 km, an altitude of up to 20 km, and a maximum speed of Mach 4.5. It features inertial guidance, mid-course update, and terminal active radar homing, and is powered by a single-pulse smokeless solid-fuel motor.

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The U.S. Department of Defense signed framework agreements worth over $3 billion with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The agreements aim to increase production of Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD missile interceptors. THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. It is an advanced ballistic missile defence system developed by the United States. THAAD intercepts short, medium, and limited intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the terminal phase of flight. It can destroy incoming missiles both inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere.

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Qadr-F missile was recently in the news amid heightened Middle East tensions and Iran–Israel military exchanges. Qadr-F is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iran. It has an estimated range of around 2,000 km and is derived from the Shahab-3 missile family. The missile is a key long-range asset of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is deployed alongside Iran’s Emad and Kheiber missiles as part of its strategic missile capabilities.

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The 8th edition of the India-US Bilateral Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 was conducted between August 10 and 14, 2026. The exercise was hosted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. This specialized maritime exercise focused on advanced technology demonstrations, including the deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The five-day bilateral drill involved intense Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and practical simulations to address underwater mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised maritime explosive remnants, reinforcing the defense ties and tactical cooperation between the two partner navies.

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The United States Army has temporarily halted AH-64 Apache training flights following a crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two soldiers. The AH-64 Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter, with the pilot seated at the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front. It is made by Boeing in the United States and used by many countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, and Japan. It can fly up to 300 kilometres per hour and has a range of 500 kilometres. It has advanced systems for communication, navigation, sensors, and weapons.

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INS Mangrol is the third indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) delivered to the Indian Navy. It has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under an eight-ship Mahe-class programme. The vessel has over 80% indigenous content and is designed for anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, mine warfare and low-intensity maritime operations. Mangrol is named after the coastal town and minor port of Mangrol in Junagadh district, Gujarat. The vessel uses waterjet propulsion, which provides high manoeuvrability and makes it suitable for shallow and coastal waters. It is equipped with sonar, radars, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and mine-laying capability.

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India has successfully manufactured and test-fired its first 100% indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’. It was produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at the Korwa Ordnance Facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The rifle uses 100% domestically sourced components and raw materials. It is chambered for 7.62×39 mm ammunition, has a rate of fire of around 700 rounds per minute, and an effective range of up to 800 metres. Indian Army user trials are scheduled for September 2026.

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The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, its second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) built the vessel, which was delivered to the Navy at Visakhapatnam on 30 July 2026. INS Nipun is designed for deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue operations. The vessel is capable of deep-sea saturation diving and is equipped with a side diving stage. It carries Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for diver monitoring and salvage operations. INS Nipun can also function as a mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) during submarine emergencies.

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Russia test-fired a mobile, solid-fuel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) on 28 August 2026 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, sending training warheads over 6,700 km to the Kura test range in Kamchatka. The researchers identified it as the RS-24 Yars. RS-24 Yars is a three-stage, solid-fuel ICBM deployed in both mobile and silo-based configurations. It can carry Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) and has an estimated range of over 10,000 km. The Yars entered Russian Strategic Missile Forces service in 2010, replacing systems such as RS-12M Topol.