Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The U.S. Air Force is considering deploying the Harpoon anti-ship missile on its F-16s, signaling a shift in naval warfare strategy. The Harpoon (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by Boeing for the U.S. Navy. Introduced in 1977, it is used by over 30 countries, including India. It has a range of 90-240 km and can be launched from ships, submarines, shore batteries, and aircraft.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the high-altitude trials of the Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft. The trials were conducted at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet above Mean Sea Level. The ILSS is an advanced system that generates and regulates breathable oxygen for pilots during flight.  The ILSS is based on the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).  The ILSS includes 10 line replaceable units, including the low-pressure breathing regulator, BOS, emergency oxygen system, oxygen sensor, and anti-G valve.

Notes:
India celebrates CISF Raising Day on March 10 each year to honor the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The 56th Raising Day was observed on March 10, 2025, in Thakkolam, Tamil Nadu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended as the chief guest, along with Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan and CISF Director General Rajvinder Singh Bhatti. CISF was founded in 1969 under the CISF Act of 1968 and initially had 3,129 personnel. Now, it has expanded to 1,77,713 personnel, securing ports, airports, industries, historical monuments, and key infrastructure. The day is marked by parades, cultural programs, and tributes to CISF personnel.

Notes:
The Defence Ministry signed ₹2,500 crore contracts for NAMIS (Nag Anti-Tank Missile System) and light vehicles. NAMIS (Nag Anti-Tank Missile System) was developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). It is a tracked version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) mounted on a BMP-2 chassis. A third-generation “fire-and-forget” missile, it locks onto targets using an Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker. It can destroy heavily armored tanks, including those with composite and reactive armor.

Notes:
India will commission its first dedicated nuclear submarine base, INS Varsha, in Andhra Pradesh in 2026 under Project Varsha. It is a secret naval infrastructure project by the Indian Navy, located near Rambilli, 50 km south of Visakhapatnam. The base will boost India’s maritime power in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and counter China’s growing presence. INS Varsha will have underground submarine pens, tunnels, and space to dock 12 nuclear submarines safely. Its proximity to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Atchutapuram gives it access to advanced nuclear support.

Notes:
India recently showcased the BM-04 missile at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defense exhibition in Hyderabad, highlighting its growing strength in conventional counterforce weapons. The BM-04 is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is 10.2 meters long, 1.2 meters in diameter, weighs 11,500 kg, and carries a 500 kg conventional warhead. With a range of 1,500 km and 30-meter circular error probability (CEP), it uses a two-stage solid-fuel system. It is canisterized and launched from a six-wheel indigenous transport erector launcher (TEL). It features a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) for evasive flight paths and can be upgraded regularly to face evolving threats.

Notes:
The 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra. The Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Uzbekistan side is represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army. Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual military training held alternately in India and Uzbekistan. The aim is to exchange best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Joint Sub-Conventional operations. It strengthens defence cooperation and improves bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.

Notes:
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA has proposed a joint naval exercise with the Indian Navy. The exercise is planned to take place around the end of May 2025 in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The main aim is to strengthen maritime cooperation and coordination between European forces and the Indian Navy. The proposal comes due to rising piracy and instability in the Red Sea region, especially near the Horn of Africa. Unlike regular Passage Exercises (PASSEX), this drill will include tactical manoeuvres, counter-piracy actions, and communication training. Operation ATALANTA, launched in 2008, is the European Union’s mission to fight piracy near Somalia.

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, INS Surat, recently test-fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile in the Arabian Sea. INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B. It belongs to the Visakhapatnam-class of stealth guided missile destroyers. It ranks among the largest and most advanced destroyers globally. With 75 percent indigenous content, it is equipped with cutting-edge weapon-sensor systems and advanced network-centric capabilities. It was designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai. It was commissioned in January 2025.

Notes:
Recently, US fighter jets are using the advanced “StormBreaker” bomb in operations against Houthi rebels during intense bombing campaigns. The StormBreaker missile, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II), was developed by the United States. It is an air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb designed and manufactured by Raytheon. It weighs 93 kilograms, is 1.76 meters long, and has a diameter between 15 to 18 centimeters. It uses millimeter-wave radar, uncooled infrared imaging, and semi-active laser for multi-mode guidance in all weather conditions. Its GPS/INS navigation system supports real-time target updates, while TacNet Data Link (DL) technology enables weapon-to-weapon collaboration. It can destroy moving targets up to 45 miles away and stationary targets up to 69 miles away.