Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 335, named “The Ospreys”, was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 17 December 2025. It is the second Indian Naval Squadron to operate MH-60R multirole helicopters after the first was commissioned in Kochi in March 2024. MH-60R helicopter is an all-weather, day-night platform capable of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP). The induction of MH-60R helicopters will greatly enhance the Indian Navy’s aviation strength and maritime operations on the Western Seaboard.

Notes:
The Indian Army has joined the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II in Abu Dhabi. The exercise is conducted from 18 to 30 December 2025. Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II is conducted between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and defence cooperation between both armies through joint training in an urban environment. The focus is on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, enabling cooperation in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability missions.

Notes:
India recently tested the K-4 missile, an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. K-4 is 12 metres long, weighs 17 tonnes, and uses a two-stage solid-fuel system. It has a range of 3,500 km, a significant upgrade over the older K-15 missile (range 750 km). Each Arihant-class submarine can carry four K-4 missiles. It can carry a payload of up to 2 tonnes, including a nuclear warhead. It is developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard conducted the Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise 2025 (RPREX-2025) in Mumbai. The exercise focused on tackling oil pollution at sea. A mock scenario involved a Motor Tanker sending a distress call after a collision with a fishing boat. The collision caused a hole in the tanker and heavy crude oil spillage into the sea. A specialised Indian Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessel and two other ships were deployed. Ships operated in full pollution response configuration. The exercise tested coordination and readiness of all stakeholders. It was conducted as per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher off Odisha coast. The test was part of user evaluation trials by Indian Air Force and Indian Army. Both missiles followed the planned trajectory and met all flight objectives. Tracking was done by Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur and onboard telemetry systems. Pralay is an indigenously developed solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with high-precision guidance. It can carry different warheads for multiple target types. The missile was developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad with other DRDO labs.

Notes:
A rare U.S. Air Force RQ-170 “Sentinel” stealth surveillance drone was recently spotted returning to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico. The drone returned after U.S. military strikes conducted overnight against targets in Venezuela. The RQ-170 Sentinel is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the United States. It was designed and manufactured by Skunk Works, a division of Lockheed Martin, for the United States Air Force (USAF). The drone is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and electronic warfare missions over target areas.

Notes:
The Indian Army has declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’ to build a future-ready force. The focus is on stronger connectivity, real-time decision-making, and higher combat effectiveness. Jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power. Data centricity treats data as a key combat asset shared across platforms instantly. This enables faster targeting, efficient troop movement, and better resource use. It shifts the Army from platform-centric to network-centric warfare. The initiative supports indigenisation, defence modernisation, and seamless Army–Navy–Air Force operations.

Notes:
Indian Army signed a ₹293 crore contract with private defence firm NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Israel, for the Suryastra rocket system. Suryastra is India’s first Made in India universal multi‑calibre rocket launcher. It is designed for precision surface‑to‑surface strikes up to a range of 300 kilometres. The system can engage multiple targets simultaneously at different ranges. It can integrate and fire multiple types of rockets from a single platform. It offers high accuracy with a strike error of less than 5 metres. It can also launch loitering munitions up to 100 kilometres, enhancing battlefield flexibility.

Notes:
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) forces have launched a major joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia called “Gulf Shield 2026”. The exercise aims to strengthen collective defence and improve regional military coordination among all GCC member states. It is designed to enhance combat readiness, joint operational integration, and efficiency in planning and execution in a unified operational environment. The drills include a wide range of procedures, tests, and field scenarios to assess force readiness and effectiveness of responses to potential threats.

Notes:
In January 2026, the Indian Army created a modern warfare force named Bhairav to strengthen combat capabilities. Bhairav battalions are designed for high-speed offensive and special operations at tactical and operational levels. Around 15 Bhairav battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to 25. These units bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular Infantry. Bhairav units are technology-driven and capable of independent multi-domain operations.