Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Taragiri (F41), a stealth frigate, on 03 April 2026. It is the fourth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited and designed by the Warship Design Bureau. The ship is a modern reincarnation of the earlier INS Taragiri (Leander-class frigate) and is built for high-speed, high-endurance, multi-dimensional naval operations.

Notes:
Vayu Baan is India’s first helicopter-launched drone system developed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a small, autonomous drone dropped from a moving helicopter mid-flight.After release, it unfolds wings, activates propulsion, and functions as surveillance (ISR) or precision-guided munition (kamikaze drone). The program is an indigenous Air-Launched Effects (ALE) project led by IAF’s Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD). It aims to provide stand-off capability to identify and destroy targets beyond 50 km, keeping helicopters safe from MANPADS.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Exercise Brahmastra, a major live-firing exercise by the Indian Army, was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The purpose of this exercise is to showcase the combat capabilities of the newly inducted AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and test coordination between air and ground forces. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a multi-role attack helicopter equipped with a 30 mm chain gun, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and rockets for precision strikes. The exercise tested operational readiness, coordination between pilots and ground crews, and precision targeting in simulated battlefield conditions.

Notes:
Exercise DUSTLIK 2026 has commenced in Namangan at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area from 12–25 April 2026. It is the 7th edition of the India–Uzbekistan joint military exercise, conducted annually on an alternating basis between the two countries. The previous edition (2025) was held at Aundh, Pune in India. It aims to enhance military cooperation and joint operational capabilities in semi-mountainous terrain.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Russia has approved the sale of the R-37M (Russian long-range air-to-air missile), also known as AA-13 Axehead (North Atlantic Treaty Organization reporting name), to India to enhance its air combat capability. The missile is designed for BVR (Beyond Visual Range) combat, allowing it to strike targets at very long distances without direct visual contact. It is developed to destroy enemy fighter jets, drones, and other aerial threats effectively. The missile is nicknamed an “AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) Killer” because it can target high-value aircraft like radar planes, refuelling tankers, and jamming systems.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched the Vikram VT 21 project featuring wheeled and tracked advanced armoured platforms. The platform is designed with enhanced armour protection against projectiles, blasts, and shrapnel. The system includes integrated weapons and advanced surveillance capabilities. It offers modular ballistic and blast protection, improving battlefield survivability. The vehicle is amphibious, enabling operations across water bodies.

Notes:
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).