Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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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.

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INS Taragiri was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 3, 2026, at Visakhapatnam by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is the fourth ship of the Project 17A class, designed by the Warship Design Bureau. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, it has over 75% indigenous content with MSME support. The frigate features advanced stealth technology with reduced radar cross-section. It supports multi-role operations: combat, surveillance, anti-piracy, and humanitarian missions.

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Balikatan Exercise is the largest bilateral military drill between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces. The term “Balikatan” means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” symbolising the strong alliance between the Philippines and the United States. It is conducted annually, with the first edition held in 2001. The 2026 exercise (41st edition) will be held from 20 April to 8 May 2026. Around 17,000 troops from seven countries—Philippines, USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand—will participate. The exercise aims to enhance regional security through joint operations and interoperability.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation unveiled Advanced Armoured Platforms (tracked & wheeled) on April 25, 2026, at Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. These platforms were developed by Vehicles Research and Development Establishment to meet evolving operational needs of Indian defence forces. They feature an indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret with a 7.62 mm PKT gun and Anti-Tank Guided Missile capability.

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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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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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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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Saanya became the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) to receive the prestigious Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor Certification (Cat-A QFI). Cat-A QFI is the highest instructional grading in the IAF and is awarded to highly skilled and experienced pilots authorised to train junior instructors and evaluate advanced combat flying skills.
Squadron Leader Saanya was commissioned into the IAF Flying Branch on June 20, 2015.

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India recently successfully tested the Agni-I Missile from the Integrated Test Range. Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile developed under India’s missile programme. It is classified as a short-range ballistic missile but can function as a medium-range ballistic missile with lighter payloads. The missile has a strike range of about 700 to 1200 kilometres. Agni-I uses a solid-propellant booster derived from Indian Space Research Organisation’s SLV-3 technology.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an artillery shell manufacturing plant at Savli Vihir Industrial Estate in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The project has been established by Nibe Limited. The facility will manufacture 155 mm artillery shells with an annual production capacity of five lakh shells. The entire production technology and raw materials used in the plant are indigenous, supporting the Make in India initiative.