Defence Current Affairs
The latest Defence news for competitive exams: 27 stories from 25 daily digests. Covers the last 6 months, newest first. Each story has a short summary, what to note for exams, and a link to its full entry with practice MCQs and sources.
Latest Defence news
The newest Defence stories in the archive, up to 7 October 2026.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Launches First Fleet Support Ship at Hindustan Shipyard
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1) and laid the keel for FSS-5 at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam.
What to note Recent developments in Indian naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding initiatives.
Key terms Rajnath Singh · Fleet Support Ship · Hindustan Shipyard Limited · Visakhapatnam · Slipway-4
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India-France Defence Ties to Deepen in Air Power and Technology
India and France are set to strengthen their defence cooperation in areas including air power, artificial intelligence, space, and defence technology.
What to note India-France defence cooperation and India's self-reliance push in defence technology.
Key terms France · Lt Gen Dominique Tardif · Tarang Shakti 2026 · defence self-reliance · air power
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Seven Foreign Air Forces to Participate in Tarang Shakti-26 Exercise in Jodhpur
The Tarang Shakti-26 exercise, held in Jodhpur, will see participation from seven foreign air forces. This marks a shift from the traditional bilateral exercises to a more multilateral operational engagement.
What to note The significance and participants of the Tarang Shakti-26 exercise and the evolving nature of India's air force collaborations.
Key terms Tarang Shakti-26 · Jodhpur · Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit · foreign air forces · Indian Air Force
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Cochin Shipyard lays keel for Navy’s next-generation missile vessels
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has laid the keel for the Indian Navy's next-generation missile vessels. These high-speed ships will be equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors, including surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, and air surveillance and fire control radars.
What to note Details about the Indian Navy's next-generation missile vessels and their construction by Cochin Shipyard are relevant for defence and current affairs sections.
Key terms Cochin Shipyard Limited · Indian Navy · next-generation missile vessels · surface-to-surface missile system · anti-missile defence system
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India Plans to Acquire Javelin Anti-Tank System Used by US Forces
India is planning to acquire the Javelin anti-tank missile system, which is a key weapon for brigade combat teams in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The Javelin is recognized as an icon of modern warfare due to its effectiveness against armored targets.
What to note India's defence procurement and the significance of the Javelin anti-tank system in modern warfare.
Key terms Javelin · anti-tank system · U.S. Army · Marine Corps · brigade combat team
Full entry with MCQs and sources →INS Nipun Enhances India's Deep-Sea Diving and Submarine Rescue Capabilities
INS Nipun is a specialised vessel developed to support deep-sea diving, underwater intervention, salvage, and submarine rescue operations. It strengthens India's capabilities in underwater missions, ensuring effective response in submarine emergencies and complex underwater tasks.
What to note The role and significance of INS Nipun in India's naval capabilities and underwater operations.
Key terms INS Nipun · Indian Navy · deep-sea diving · submarine rescue · underwater intervention
Full entry with MCQs and sources →September 2026: Defence
The most important of 11 Defence stories in September 2026.
Embraer Partners with Mahindra for IAF Transport Plane Tender
Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has partnered with Indian conglomerate Mahindra to participate in the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Transport Aircraft program, offering the KC-390 Millennium jet. Separately, Embraer has teamed up with Adani Group to address the increasing demand for civilian air connectivity in India.
What to note Partnerships in India's defence procurement and civil aviation sectors highlight strategic collaborations for transport aircraft and connectivity.
Key terms Embraer · Mahindra · Adani · Indian Air Force · KC-390 Millennium
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Navy Chief Krishna Swaminathan to Visit Australia and New Zealand to Boost Naval Ties
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Chief of the Indian Navy, is scheduled to visit Australia and New Zealand. The visit will begin in Australia and then proceed to New Zealand. The primary objective of these visits is to strengthen bilateral naval cooperation between India and the navies of Australia and New Zealand.
What to note Recent diplomatic visits by Indian military leadership to enhance bilateral naval cooperation.
Key terms Krishna Swaminathan · Indian Navy · Australia · New Zealand · Royal Australian Navy
Full entry with MCQs and sources →August 2026: Defence
The most important of 4 Defence stories in August 2026.
Loitering Munition May Have Hit Pakistan's Kirana Hills During Operation Sindoor
Former Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan stated that one of the loitering munitions used during Operation Sindoor might have landed on Pakistan's Kirana Hills. The Kirana Hills area near Pakistan's Sargodha is known to host nuclear-related facilities.
What to note Operation Sindoor and the strategic implications of loitering munitions targeting sensitive areas like Kirana Hills.
Key terms Anil Chauhan · Operation Sindoor · Kirana Hills · Pakistan · Sargodha
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India leases two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Navy at ₹1,943 crore
India has leased two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy from the US for ₹1,943 crore for a period of 30 months. These remotely piloted aircraft are equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors, and sophisticated payloads.
What to note Details of India's recent defence procurement involving leasing of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Navy.
Key terms Indian Navy · MQ-9B Sea Guardian · United States · drones · ₹1,943 crore
Full entry with MCQs and sources →July 2026: Defence
The most important of 3 Defence stories in July 2026.
Lockheed Martin Acquires Ultra Maritime for $3.45 Billion in Naval Defence Expansion
Lockheed Martin has acquired Ultra Maritime in a $3.45 billion deal aimed at strengthening its naval defence capabilities. This acquisition occurs amid a global increase in military spending, benefiting defence companies worldwide.
What to note Major defence acquisitions and their impact on global military spending trends.
Key terms Lockheed Martin · Ultra Maritime · naval defence · military spending
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Gen Upendra Dwivedi Retires, Gen Dhiraj Seth Becomes 31st Army Chief
General Upendra Dwivedi retired as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday. At his farewell, he stated that future wars will be 'joint, integrated and theatre-oriented'. The command was handed over to General Dhiraj Seth, who took charge as the 31st Army Chief during a ceremonial event held in New Delhi.
What to note Recent changes in Indian Army leadership and future warfare concepts highlighted by the outgoing Army Chief.
Key terms General Upendra Dwivedi · General Dhiraj Seth · Army Chief · New Delhi · Indian Army
Full entry with MCQs and sources →May 2026: Defence
The most important of 5 Defence stories in May 2026.
India Signs BrahMos Missile Deal with Vietnam, Nears Pact with Indonesia
India has signed a deal to supply BrahMos missiles to Vietnam and is close to finalizing a similar agreement with Indonesia. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted India's strong commitment to its ASEAN partners, reflecting New Delhi's strategic focus on strengthening defense ties within the region.
What to note India's defense collaborations with ASEAN countries and the significance of the BrahMos missile deal.
Key terms Vietnam · Indonesia · BrahMos missile · ASEAN · Rajesh Kumar Singh
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Indian Navy Awards ADITI 3.0 Contract to Tonbo Imaging for HPM System
The Indian Navy has awarded the ADITI 3.0 contract to Tonbo Imaging for the development of High Power Microwave (HPM) systems. These systems are a strategically significant directed-energy capability, considered a strategic asset owned by only a limited number of countries.
What to note The strategic significance of HPM systems and the role of Tonbo Imaging.
Key terms Indian Navy · ADITI 3.0 · Tonbo Imaging · High Power Microwave · HPM system
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Daily digests covering Defence
The 12 most recent of 25 digests with Defence items — every item in full, with its sources and practice MCQs.