Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Russia recently launched its major naval exercise “July Storm” from July 23 to 27, 2025. The drill began with Bastion coastal defence missile launchers deployed along the Barents Sea shoreline. The exercise involves a missile battalion from the Northern Fleet’s Kola Flotilla taking firing positions to secure the Arctic region. “July Storm” is the largest Russian naval drill of the year, covering the Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, and Caspian Seas. The operation includes 150 warships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, 10 coastal missile batteries, and around 15,000 personnel. The drill aims to maintain operational readiness and strategic control along Russia’s Arctic frontier.

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Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) started building its first indigenously made Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) at Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa. This marks a milestone under a contract signed on 24 October 2024 with the Ministry of Defence to build six such hovercraft. The ACV is based on Griffon Hoverwork designs but is customized by Indian experts for coastal security tasks. These ACVs will improve ICG’s speed, flexibility, and operations in shallow waters. They will boost patrolling, interdiction, and rescue missions along India’s long coastline.

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Recently, Singapore and Indian navies concluded the 32nd edition of SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) on 1st August 2025. The exercise was held at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base and at sea in the South China Sea. It involved naval ships and aircraft from both nations, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Singapore deployed the Formidable-class frigate Republic of Singapore Ship (RSS) Supreme, Victory-class corvette RSS Vigilance, and cargo ship MV Mentor. India participated with the Shivalik-class frigate INS Satpura. SIMBEX is India’s longest uninterrupted bilateral naval exercise and one of Singapore’s oldest.

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The United States military unveiled a mockup of China’s HQ-16 missile at the Experimental Aircraft Association ‘AirVenture Show’ in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. HQ-16 is a Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system with NATO name CH-SA 16. It is based on Russia’s Buk missile family. It is designed to target aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It uses a vertical launch system for 360-degree coverage in complex terrains.

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Russia is preparing for fresh tests of its 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile from Pankovo range, Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. If successful, it will be the world’s first operational nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range to strike any point globally. Burevestnik means “storm petrel” and is a ground-launched, low-flying missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It is one of six strategic weapons introduced by the Russian President in 2018. NATO code-names it ‘SSC-X-9 Skyfall’.

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Post Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing for rapid progress on Project Kusha. Project Kusha, also called Program Long Range Surface to Air Missile (PGLRSAM), was approved in 2022 with a budget of ₹21,700 crore. It is an indigenous initiative led by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a long-range air defence missile system. Phase 1 includes four interceptor variants: M1 (range 150 km), M2 (250 km), M3 (350–400 km), and Naval variant (200–300 km). Phase 2 aims to develop an even longer-range interceptor exceeding 600 km. The project strengthens India’s strategic air defence capabilities.

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Indian Naval Ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti took part in the 12th edition of Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25). SLINEX is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, started in 2005. It has enhanced maritime cooperation and interoperability for nearly two decades. The last edition was held in Visakhapatnam, India, in 2024. SLINEX-25 is conducted in two phases – Harbour phase and Sea phase. Harbour phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), cultural programs, yoga, sports, and best practice sharing. Sea phase covers gunnery firing, navigation, seamanship, fueling at sea, communication, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS).

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra three months after cross-border hostilities with Pakistan. The mission aims to build a multi-layered integrated air and missile defence shield for India. It will include early-warning and tracking sensors, command and control posts, land and sea-based interceptor missile batteries and other advanced weapons. Space-based assets will also be used for early warning and threat tracking. The shield will cover both strategic areas and civilian places like hospitals, railways and centres of faith by 2035.

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Recently, India successfully test-fired the Agni-5 missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. Agni-5 is a nuclear-capable land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile has a range of over 5,000 kilometers, making it one of India’s most advanced long-range missiles. It is equipped with modern navigation, guidance, warhead and engine systems. Agni-5 can carry and fire up to three nuclear warheads simultaneously, boosting India’s strategic deterrence capability.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. This is part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, aimed at creating a homegrown multi-layered nationwide security shield by 2035. IADWS includes Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). It integrates surveillance, cybersecurity, and air defence systems to detect and neutralise threats like missiles, aircraft, and drones.