If you are going for SSB interview or attending a written exam, you can refer to these latest defence current affairs and news. These are the latest happenings in the defence area, national and international. Candidates who want to join the armed forces are required to have the knowledge of defence sectors. So here are 30+ latest defence current affairs and news.
Defence Current Affairs Questions 2018 – 2017 [All Months]
Latest Defence Current Affairs and News
- BrahMos missile successfully test-fired: The land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with an extended range increased from 290 km to 450 km was successfully test fired. The missile was test fired from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. It met its mission parameters fully by achieving 100% results.
- INS Tillanchang commissioned by Indian Navy: India Navy has commissioned INS Tillanchang at Karwar, Karnataka. It is a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) It is the third ship of four follow-on WJFAC built by the Kolkata based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The first two ships INS Tarmugli and INS Tihayu which were commissioned in 2016. These ships will play a vital role in light of India’s security environment. They are designed to take on both conventional and asymmetric threats.
- Indo-Nepal joint Military exercise Surya Kiran-XI held in Uttarakhand: The eleventh edition of joint military exercise ‘Surya Kiran 2017‘ between India and Nepal began in Pithoragarh area of Uttarakhand. It is two-week long battalion level joint exercise between armies of both countries. It will focus on skills required for natural disaster management, counter-insurgency and jungle warfare.
- India-Oman joint military exercise Al-Nagah-II 2017 held in Himachal Pradesh: The joint military exercise Al-Nagah-II 2017 between India and Oman began in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Bakloh belt of Himachal Pradesh to strengthen the military ties between the two countries. This is the second edition of the exercise in continuation of a series of joint exercises between the armies of the two countries. The first edition of the exercise was held at Muscat, Oman in 2015.
- World’s oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat decommissioned: The world’s longest serving warship INS Viraat was decommissioned by the Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra after nearly six decades of service. This marks the end of an era of Viraat being the flagship of the Indian Navy as it had provided utmost protection to the country during many tense situations. The decision on the warship’s future has not been taken yet.
- Indigenously developed weapon-locating radar SWATHI handed to Army: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) formally handed over an indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) system dubbed as ‘SWATHI’ to Indian Army. The DRDO also handed over a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) recce vehicle Mk-I and NBC treatment drugs to the Indian Army.
- Indian Navy successfully test-Fires anti-ship missile from Kalvari Submarine: Indian Navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time from an indigenously built INS Kalvari submarine. During a test firing in the Arabian Sea, the missile successfully hit a surface target at extended ranges. This launch is considered as significant milestone of Indian Navy in enhancing its “sub-surface” warfare prowess.
- Supersonic interceptor missile successfully test-fired: Indigenously developed supersonic Advance Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully test-fired from launch complex III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore, Odisha. The supersonic interceptor missile is capable of destroying any incoming enemy ballistic missile at low altitude. The successful test validates the reliability of its two layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system.
- India, Israel to develop MR-SAM missile system for Army: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a deal to jointly develop a medium range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) system for Army with help of Israel. The deal will be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
- Government approves Phase II of coastal surveillance project: The Union Defence Ministry has given its nod to the Phase II of coastal surveillance project to expand the coastal radar surveillance network. It will strengthen surveillance of over 7,500-km coastline of the country. The decision was taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. It also approved proposal of setting up of a shore-based intermediate engine repair facility for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters at the Naval yard in Goa.
- Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH commissioned: Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH was commissioned at Kochi, Kerala by Vice Admiral AR Karwe, Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Southern Naval Command. ICGS AYUSH is the 20th and the last in the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
- Indian Navy’s INSV Tarini inducted: Indian Navy’s second ocean-going sailboat INSV Tarini was inducted at the INS Mandovi Boat Pool on Saturday in Goa. INSV Tarini is a sloop built by Divar-based Aquarius Shipyard. It is slated to be the platform for the Indian Navy’s first Indian all-women circumnavigation of the globe expedition.
- IAF inducts indigenous early warning system NETRA: The Indian Airforce (IAG) has formally inducted the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) dubbed as NETRA. The AEW&C NETRA has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was unveiled at the 2017 Aero India exhibition held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Reliance Defence signs warship repair pact with US Navy: Anil Ambani group led Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy to provide repair and alteration services for ships of the Seventh Fleet. With this, RDEL became first Indian company (either public or private) to provide logistical support to the US military within Indian territory.
- INS Sarvekshak becomes India’s first ship to go green: Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak, based at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi became the first naval ship to go green by installing a solar power system on board. It has innovatively deployed the zero-maintenance solar power system, capable of generating 5.4KW electricity and replacing the ship’s traditional 4.4KW emergency diesel alternator.
- AAD interceptor missile successfully test-fired : Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully test-fired from launching complex-IV of Dhamara Abdul Kalam defence base off Odisha coast. The test assed missile’s killing capability by intercepting a target, mimicking an incoming enemy missile in mid-air. The success of test has boosted India’s position in the exclusive club of AAD countries United States, Russia and Israel.
- Pakistan’s naval exercise Aman 2017 begins in Karachi: The Pakistan Navy has kicked of its biannually-held multinational AMAN 2017 naval exercise in Karachi, Pakistan. 37 countries are participating in the international event. Aman-17 is the sixth edition such exercise which Pakistan has been holding biannually since 2007. Previous exercises were held in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013, and 2016 respectively.
- Government to set up Defence Procurement Organisation: The Union Government is planning to set up a Defence Procurement Organisation (DPO), new procurement body to integrate and streamline the long and arduous process of defence acquisitions. The DPO will be a vertical under the Union Defence Ministry. It will simplify the defence purchase procedure by integrating procurement processes.
- Indian Navy launches underwater harbour defence and surveillance system: Indian Navy has launched an Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Mumbai, Maharashtra to enhance the security of valuable naval assets against asymmetric threats. It was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Western Naval Command. It is third IUHDSS to be installed in India.
- China successfully tests DF-5C missile with 10 nuclear warheads: China has successfully tested a new version of a DF-5C missile that can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads in January 2017. The flight test of the missile was carried using 10 multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, (MIRVs), from the Taiyuan Space Launch Centre in Shanxi province and to an impact range in the western Taklamakan desert.
- Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise TROPEX 17: The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2017 is being conducted off the Western Seaboard. The month long exercise will see participation of ships and aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Command and also assets from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard.
- India, France sign pact on maritime information sharing in Indian Ocean Region: India and France have signed White Shipping agreement to enable information sharing on maritime traffic and maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The agreement was signed in New Delhi after both countries held their second dialogue on maritime cooperation for the IOR.
- Improved Guided Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired for 2nd time: Improved Pinaka rockets, with a guidance system and an enhanced range were successfully test-fired for the second time from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The guided version dubbed as Pinaka mark-II, has been evolved version of Pinaka mark-I. Its first successful test flight was conducted from the same venue on January 12, 2017.
- Pakistan conducts first flight test of Ababeel missile with MIRV technology: Pakistan successfully conducted the first flight test of Ababeel surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile. The test flight was aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of missile’s weapon system. It is claimed that Ababeel missile has the capability to carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads and engage multiple targets with high precision by defeating the enemy’s hostile radars.
- Second Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi launched: INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy.
- Guided Pinaka successfully test-fired: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the Pinaka Rocket converted to a Guided Pinaka from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur (Odisha). The test-firing met all mission objectives. The flight-path Guided Pinaka was tracked and monitored by the radars, electro-optical and telemetry systems at Chandipur.
- Pakistan test-fires first nuclear-capable submarine cruise missile Babur-3: Pakistan successfully test-fired its first Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) Babur-3 capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. This launch gives Pakistan a “credible” second-strike capability. The Babur-3 missile was fired from an underwater mobile platform from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean and hit its target with precise accuracy.
- Indian Army conducts test of indigenous heavy artillery gun Dhanush: The Indian Army has successfully conducted ‘user-validation’ trials of indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) Dhanush in the Himalayas. It clears the way for the induction in the Army. Earlier, proof firing tests of Dhanush’s armament systems were carried out during technical trials in June and September 2016 and some initial integrated firing tests were successfully carried out in December 2016.
- India, Portugal sign six agreements: India and Portugal have signed six memorandum of understandings (MoUs) including in defence cooperation. These agreements were signed after delegation level talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Portugal counterpart António Costa who is chief Guest of 2017 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
- ICBM Agni-IV successfully test-fired off Odisha coast: India successfully test-fired its home-grown long range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-IV from the Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The test was aimed at revalidating new technologies incorporated in Agni-IV system and checking the readiness of armed forces to launch the missile on its own.
- Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa takes charge as new Air Force chief: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa took charge as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He succeeded Arup Raha who retires from the service. He is the third person from Sikh community to head the IAF after Arjan Singh and Dilbag Singh. Prior to this appointment he was Vice-Chief of IAF.
- CSL completes delivery of 20 FPVs to India Coast Guard: The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered ICGS AYUSH, the 20th Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) to the Indian Coast Guard. With this, CSL has completed construction of 20 FPVs for the Indian Coast Guard. ICGS Ayush will be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Krishnapatanam. It is last in the series (CSL Yard No BY 520) and was delivered three months ahead of schedule.
Defence Current Affairs Questions 2018 – 2017 [All Months]
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