Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, France test-fired its new M51.3 nuclear-capable ballistic missile for the first time from a nuclear-powered submarine. The M51.3 is a new variant of France’s M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and is designed to carry nuclear warheads. The missile did not carry a warhead during the test and landed in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometres away from any coastline. An SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile) is a ballistic missile launched from a submarine and forms an important part of a country’s nuclear deterrent. The M51 family is a long-range ballistic missile system operated by France as part of its sea-based nuclear deterrent.

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Recently, Pakistan successfully test-fired the extended-range variant of the Fatah-4 ground-launched cruise missile on 6 October 2026. Fatah-4 is an indigenously developed conventional precision-strike cruise missile. It is designed to engage high-value targets at extended ranges. The missile is developed by Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM). The test focused on validating its navigation, guidance systems and flight performance. The test is aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s conventional deterrence capability.

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INS Mangrol is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 October 2026 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The ship has been constructed with over 80% indigenous content, promoting the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Its primary objective is to detect and counter submarine threats in coastal and shallow waters. The ship is equipped with the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. It is powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, enabling high manoeuvrability in shallow waters.

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IBSAMAR IX 2026 is the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa. The Indian Navy is participating with INS Tarkash, a frontline guided-missile stealth frigate, accompanied by an integral Chetak helicopter. The exercise is hosted by South Africa to strengthen maritime cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding among the participating navies. The theme of IBSAMAR IX is “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.” The exercise focuses on enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and improving preparedness to address common maritime challenges.

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Recently, China released the first official footage showing the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) H-6K bomber launching an air-launched variant of the YJ-21 anti-ship ballistic missile. The missile is developed by China. The missile is also associated with the designations KD-21 and 2PZD-21. The YJ-21 family has been associated with platforms including H-6-series bombers and Type 055 destroyers. This capability could strengthen China’s ability to threaten distant naval formations, including aircraft carrier strike groups, across the Western Pacific from long stand-off distances.

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Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed indigenous lightweight armour panels meeting STANAG 4569 Level 6 protection. Level 6 is a high-grade ballistic standard designed to defeat 30 mm armour-piercing ammunition, significantly enhancing battlefield survivability while preserving operational vehicle mobility and strategic transportability for armed forces. STANAG 4569 is a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Standardization Agreement that specifies military protection levels for occupants of light armoured vehicles and combat platforms. It provides baseline testing requirements for threats including kinetic energy projectiles, artillery strikes, and improvised explosive devices.

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The fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The exercise involves approximately 120 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army and is scheduled to conclude on 1 November 2026. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination between the two armies. For the first time, an observer delegation from New Zealand is participating in the exercise. The theme is “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.” The fourth edition was held at Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, from 13–26 October 2025.

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In October 2026, Nagpur-based Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited delivered the indigenously developed Nagastra-2 Anti-Tank Loitering Munition System to the Indian Army. Nagastra-2 is a loitering munition that combines the surveillance capabilities of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the ability to carry out precision strikes against targets. The system has an operational range of up to 25 km in recover-and-reuse mode and 50 km in fire-and-forget mode. It is equipped with a 4 kg tandem shaped-charge warhead designed to penetrate armour protection equivalent to up to 650 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). Nagastra-2 can remain airborne for up to 60 minutes and is fitted with surveillance cameras that enable day-and-night operations.

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Russia has reportedly begun using a new cruise missile called Filin against Ukraine, with combat use reported in late summer 2026. The missile was developed by NPO Molniya, a Moscow-based company belonging to Russia’s Tactical Missiles Corporation. The Filin reportedly has a maximum range of 1,200 km and a maximum speed of 800 km/h, according to Russian-advertised specifications cited by Ukrainian military intelligence. The missile is approximately 3.5 metres long, with a wingspan of around 3 metres, and uses carbon-fibre and fibreglass composite materials. It is powered by the Russian-made R500 turbojet engine, manufactured by Reynolds LLC.

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INS Sahyadri, an indigenously designed and built guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, participated in the India–Republic of Korea Navy (IN–RoKN) Bilateral Exercise. The exercise aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve interoperability and enhance operational coordination between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy. The exercise reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and the Republic of Korea. It also supports India’s efforts to promote peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.