Defence Current Affairs MCQs

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India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system to counter swarm drones. It is designed to counter the threat of swarm drones. It was developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. Bhargavastra detects small flying machines over 6 km and hits targets over 2.5 km. It uses guided micro-munitions and can fire more than 64 micro missiles simultaneously. The system operates in all terrains, including high-altitude areas. It fulfills Army Air Defence requirements, marking India’s first counter-drone system with micro missiles.

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INS Mumbai, an indigenously built guided missile destroyer, is participating in the fourth edition of Exercise LA PEROUSE. The exercise involves navies from Australia, France, the UK, the US, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. It focuses on enhancing maritime situational awareness, surveillance, interdiction, air operations, and information sharing. The exercise highlights India’s naval synergy, interoperability, and commitment to a rules-based maritime order. It aligns with India’s SAGAR vision to ensure security and growth in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh flagged off ‘SANJAY – The Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS)’ on January 24, 2025, in New Delhi. SANJAY integrates ground and aerial battlefield sensor inputs to produce a Common Surveillance Picture via secured networks. It enhances battlefield transparency, supports the Army’s Decision Support System, and enables commanders in conventional and sub-conventional operations. It has been indigenously developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the Buy (Indian) category for ₹2,402 crore. The system will be inducted across operational Army units in three phases (March–October 2025). It aligns with ‘Aatmanirbharta’ and the MoD’s ‘Year of Reforms’.

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Border Security Force (BSF) launched a 10-day “OPS Alert” exercise from January 22 to 31, 2025, along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border for heightened security during Republic Day celebrations. Patrolling and border domination duties are intensified, focusing on riverine borders and unfenced gaps. Security drills and reconciliation programs with border populations are being conducted.

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DRDO showcased the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) during the 76th Republic Day parade. ATAGS is a 155mm, 52-calibre howitzer developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has a range of 48 km, making it one of the longest-range towed artillery systems globally. It can operate in extreme temperatures and has high mobility due to its 6×6 towing platform. The gun achieves precision strikes with future Long Range Guided Munitions (LRGM).

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Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force received the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for supporting the Navy’s anti-piracy operations. The mission was part of Operation Sankalp, launched by the Indian Navy on March 16 last year in the Arabian Sea. The operation aimed to counter piracy and Houthi rebel threats to merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean. Key areas of operation included the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and off the East Coast of Somalia. The Navy saved lives, seized narcotics, and rescued hijacked merchant vessels during the operation.

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The 13th edition of the India-Maldives military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ held in Maldives from 2-15 February 2025. The opening ceremony took place at the MNDF Official Composite Training Center in Maafilaafushi on 2 February 2025. ‘Ekuverin’ means ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language. It is an annual bilateral exercise, held alternately in India and the Maldives since 2009. The 12th edition was held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, from June 11-24, 2023. A platoon-level contingent from both nations participates. The exercise enhances coordination for counter-insurgency, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.

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TROPEX-25 or Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise 2025 is India’s largest biennial maritime exercise, led by the Indian Navy with participation from the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The exercise focuses on joint warfare, power projection, and countering challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. Senior military leaders witnessed operations aboard INS Vikrant, highlighting India’s carrier-based air power. The exercise demonstrated integrated fleet operations, uniting the Eastern and Western Fleets. Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force participated, symbolizing growing joint warfare coordination. TROPEX-25 strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, signaling deterrence against China’s expanding naval presence. The exercise reinforces India’s role in regional security and Quad cooperation.

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SARAT version 2 improves efficiency in search and rescue operations. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed an upgraded version of its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT). The tool uses model ensembling, factoring in currents and winds for accurate location predictions. It offers over 60 object types and allows users to input details like last known location. Version 2 enhances accuracy, visualizations, and the user interface, speeding up operations with better success rates. The tool helps Indian search and rescue agencies respond faster and more effectively.

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Matsya 6000 is India’s first manned deep-sea submersible, set to launch by 2026 under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). Only five nations (US, France, China, Russia, Japan) have developed manned deep-sea submersibles. It is developed under the Samudrayaan Project by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with a budget of ₹4,077 crore. It aims to explore deep-sea biodiversity, survey mineral resources, support ocean research, and enhance India’s deep-sea technology capabilities.