Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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Yard 3034 (Ajay), the eighth and final ship of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched on 21 July 2025 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) will boost Indian Navy’s underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare, and mine-laying capabilities. The ship features Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS). It is armed with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, NSG-30 Gun, and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Gun (SRCG). The ship will enhance India’s maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

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On July 22, 2025, Indian Army received the first batch of three Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the United States at Hindon Airbase. These helicopters will be deployed in Jodhpur with the Army Aviation Corps after Joint Receipt Inspection. Apache helicopters will strengthen India’s operational capabilities along the Western Border. The $600 million deal for six Apache helicopters was signed in 2020. The next batch of three helicopters will arrive by November 2025. Apache AH-64E is a state-of-the-art combat helicopter, enhancing strike power in challenging terrains.

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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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Recently, the United States deployed its “Dark Eagle” Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) during the Talisman Sabre military drills in Australia. The Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system is developed by the United States. It is designed for strategic attack missions to penetrate anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) defenses and deliver rapid precision strikes. The land-based weapon can hit targets up to 1,700 miles (2,735 km) away.

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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.

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Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kadmatt completed a three-day port call at Surabaya, Indonesia recently. INS Kadmatt is an indigenous stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette built under Project 28. It is the second of four such corvettes built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2016. It is part of the Eastern Naval Command and named after Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep. Its main role is anti-submarine warfare to protect convoys and ports from submarine attacks.

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Indian Army organised the maiden Exercise Aarogya Setu at Rupai, Doomdooma in Tinsukia district of Assam. It was the first civil-military medical fusion exercise in the region. It aims to strengthen cooperation between Army Medical Corps, senior civil doctors, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Northern Frontier Railway Hospital, Tinsukia. The focus was on joint response of Army and Civil medical teams during disasters and war-like situations. A doctor from Northern Frontier Railway Hospital introduced the concept of train ambulances for large-scale casualty evacuation.