Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India is set to receive the remaining two units of the S-400 Triumf from Russia in 2026, completing the delivery under the deal. The system was procured under a $5.43 billion agreement signed in 2018 for five squadrons, out of which three are already inducted into the Indian Air Force. The S-400 is a modern long-range surface-to-air missile (MLR SAM) system developed by Russia. It can track and destroy multiple aerial targets at once within a range of up to 600 kilometres. The S-400 provides a powerful multi-layered air defence shield against threats like fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and stealth aircraft.

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Yard 1280 (Shachi), the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), was launched at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa on 31 March 2026. Construction of NGOPVs is happening concurrently at GSL, Goa and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These indigenously built ships will augment the existing fleet of ten Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)/Next-generation OPVs (NOPVs) for multi-domain operations including defence, surveillance, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), and anti-piracy missions.

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The Tri-Service exercise “Dweep Shakti” was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force from March 24 to March 28. The exercise aimed to validate integrated capabilities for rapid response in coastal and island defence operations. It involved coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations, and complex beach landing drills. Advanced next-generation equipment and drones were used, highlighting improved precision and interoperability among the three services. The exercise helped refine integrated tactics, techniques, and procedures, strengthening multi-domain operational capability.

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INS Dhruv is India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship, enhancing strategic maritime capability. It was commissioned on 10 September 2021 and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The ship tracks ballistic missiles, gathers Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and supports India’s missile defence programme. It provides early warning of missile threats and helps calibrate Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems using trajectory data.

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INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy and recently visited Gan, strengthening India–Maldives maritime cooperation. It belongs to the Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. It was commissioned on 14 October 2010. The ship is named after Kalpeni Island of Lakshadweep. It is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. Its roles include coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, boarding operations, and search and rescue.

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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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The Indian Army contingent has reached Cambodia for the second edition of the India–Cambodia joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026. The exercise is held at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Training Centre in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia from May 4 to 17, 2026. Around 120 Indian personnel, mainly from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, are participating. The Cambodian side is represented by about 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. The exercise is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. It focuses on counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional and semi-urban environments.

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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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INS Sagardhwani recently visited Cam Ranh, Vietnam, strengthening India-Vietnam scientific cooperation. It is an oceanographic research vessel commissioned in July 1994. The name “Sagardhwani” means “sound or voice of the sea.” The vessel was designed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). It is equipped with advanced scientific laboratories and equipment for oceanographic research. INS Sagardhwani contributes to marine acoustics, naval oceanography, and collaborates with Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories under the Sagar Maitri initiative.