Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
DRDO and the Indian Army successfully tested the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at Pokhran Field Firing Range. MPATGM is a shoulder-launched, portable missile system designed to target enemy tanks and armored vehicles. The system includes a launcher, target acquisition system, and fire control unit. It has advanced infrared homing sensors and integrated avionics, making it effective for day and night operations.

Notes:
DRDO successfully conducted the first flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV, from an Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I. GAURAV is a 1,000 kg air-launched glide bomb designed to strike targets at long distances. It is equipped with conventional warheads to destroy enemy airstrips, bunkers, and buildings. The bomb integrates with fighter aircraft and uses an Inertial Navigation System with GPS data for precise targeting. Developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, it hit the target with pinpoint accuracy during the test, with complete data captured.

Notes:
Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar, commanded by Captain MR Harish, arrived in Esbjerg, Denmark, for a two-day visit. The visit aims to strengthen ties between India and Denmark, focusing on naval cooperation and cultural exchange. The crew will engage in professional interactions with the Danish Armed Forces. India and Denmark have strong diplomatic relations, elevated to a “Green Strategic Partnership” in 2020. INS Tabar, part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors and plays a key role in India’s naval operations.

Notes:
INS Mumbai, a Delhi-class guided missile destroyer, made its maiden visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka for three days. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 22, 2001, and built at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. It has been recognized as the ‘Best Ship’ three times and the ‘Most Spirited Ship’ twice. INS Mumbai has played key roles in operations like Op Parakram, Op Sukoon (evacuation from Lebanon), and Op Rahat (evacuation from Yemen). It underwent a mid-life upgrade and joined the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on December 8, 2023.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence ordered 73,000 SIG716 rifles from U.S. company Sig Sauer, to be delivered by end-2025. SIG716 is an American-made automatic assault rifle. The Indian Army uses these rifles extensively, especially in mountainous and border regions. The rifle is 34.39 inches long with a 15.98-inch barrel and weighs 3.58 kg. It has a higher recoil and is designed to hit targets at 600 meters. The rifle uses a 7.62x51mm caliber for longer range and more power than INSAS and AK-47 rifles. Its gas piston system boosts reliability and lowers maintenance. The SIG716’s modular design allows easy customization with accessories.

Notes:
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh became the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi. After taking his new position, he paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Tejinder Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and joined the IAF fighter stream on June 13, 1987. He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor with over 4,500 flying hours. He studied at the Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, a Fighter Base, and was Air Officer Commanding in Jammu and Kashmir. He received the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.

Notes:
The 2024 edition of Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’ held in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4, 2024, involving advanced tactical exercises. The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft landed at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in France for its first-ever European deployment. This was for the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy. The last time an Indian Navy aircraft flew in France was 63 years ago when the Alize aircraft from INS Vikrant operated at Hyeres Airbase. The India-France naval exercise began in 1993, was named ‘Varuna’ in 2001, and reflects a strong strategic partnership between the two countries.

Notes:
Russian troops recently used a Grom-E1 hybrid missile to hit Kharkiv, Ukraine. The Grom-E1 is a modernized weapon based on the Soviet-era Kh-38 missile. It was developed by Russia and first introduced in 2018. The Grom-E1 combines features of both a missile and an aerial bomb. It has a maximum range of 120 km, with a high-explosive warhead and a contact detonator. A variant with a thermobaric design can detonate at high altitudes. The effectiveness depends on the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft. It can be launched from Russian aircraft like the MiG-35, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57.

Notes:
The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 began at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9th to 22nd September 2024. Yudh Abhyas is an annual joint military exercise between India and the USA, ongoing since 2004. The exercise fosters cooperation between the two militaries, focusing on training, cultural exchanges, and developing joint operational skills. The previous edition took place at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.

Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated “India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24)” in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and also observed the Tarang Shakti exercise at Jodhpur Air Force Station. The expo, held from September 12-14, 2024, featured industry participation and showcased various products and technologies. The event allowed the Indian Aviation Industry, including DPSUs, DRDO, private industries, and startups, to demonstrate their capabilities to global air force decision-makers and end users. The air show, attended by Defence Minister, Army Chiefs of India, and foreign Air Force Chiefs, included performances by Suryakiran, Sarang, Tejas, and Sukhoi-30. Tarang Shakti, a major multinational air exercise, involved air forces from seven countries and observers from 16 additional countries.