Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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The Malwan has been delivered to the Indian Navy as part of efforts to strengthen coastal defence capabilities. It is the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited at Kochi, and is indigenously designed and constructed. The vessel is named after Malwan and carries forward the legacy of the former INS Malwan, a naval minesweeper that served until 2003. It is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), coastal surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine warfare.

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Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna arrived at Malé, Maldives, under the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, strengthening India–Maldives maritime ties. The ship was welcomed by Maldives National Defence Force, with two MNDF personnel onboard as part of the multinational crew. This initiative aligns with “Neighbourhood First” policy and Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision. It highlights India’s commitment to regional security, interoperability, and maritime cooperation.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs received an indigenous satellite imaging system Prajna, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation through CAIR (Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics), to improve real-time decision-making for security agencies. The AI-enabled Prajna system is designed to monitor sensitive regions and support counter-terrorism operations, thereby strengthening internal security. DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted in-flight trials of ADC-150 (Air Droppable Container with 150 kg capacity) from the P-8I aircraft off the Goa coast.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Navy conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) off the Bay of Bengal near Odisha. NASM-SR is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile, replacing the Sea Eagle missile. It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO labs. The missile has a range of about 55 km and supports fire-and-forget capability in all weather conditions. It uses a solid booster and long-burn sustainer propulsion system.

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INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigate delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 April 2026. It was constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, marking progress in indigenous warship building. Project 17A frigates are advanced multi-mission warships with improved stealth, survivability, and combat capabilities. The ship was designed by the Warship Design Bureau using an integrated construction approach. It uses Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion along with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP).

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Yildirimhan Missile is a prototype intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled by Turkey to strengthen defence self-reliance and expand its strategic military capabilities. The missile is capable of targeting regions across Europe, Africa, and Asia if launched from Turkey. Yildirimhan can reportedly travel at speeds up to Mach 25, which is nearly 25 times the speed of sound and falls under hypersonic speed range. It uses four rocket propulsion engines and is powered by liquid nitrogen tetroxide fuel, which improves range and payload capacity.

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INS Sagardhwani arrived in Vietnam as part of efforts to strengthen scientific and maritime cooperation. The vessel was flagged off for the 5th edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative. Sagar Maitri is a flagship collaborative programme of the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision. MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. INS Sagardhwani is a specialised oceanographic research vessel commissioned in July 1994, designed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers

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Russia announced the deployment of the Sarmat strategic nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), also known by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) designation “Satan II.” It is developed by Russia. The missile is considered one of the world’s most powerful nuclear-capable missiles and is designed to strike targets across long distances in the United States and Europe. Sarmat is the first post-Soviet Russian ICBM classified as “super heavy.” The missile reportedly has a range exceeding 35,000 km and carries a warhead yield significantly greater than Western counterparts.

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Exercise PRAGATI 2026 began at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with participation from 12 friendly nations, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines. PRAGATI stands for “Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.” The exercise is organised by the Indian Army to strengthen regional military cooperation, defence ties, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. The two-week exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain.

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The Defence Minister recently reviewed the progress of major HAL projects, including delays in the delivery of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Tejas Mk1A is developed by HAL. It is regarded as one of the world’s lightest fighter aircraft in its class. The aircraft is capable of offensive air support, air combat, and ground attack missions.