In Defence Current Affairs for DCA 03 February 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Daily Defence Current Affairs.
Defence Current Affairs 03 February 2025
Launch of 9th ACTCM
- Launching ceremony of 9th ACTCM Barge, LSAM 23 (Yard 133) was held on 31 Jan 25 at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane.
- The contract for construction of eleven (11) Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge was concluded with MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 Mar 21.
- The Shipyard has successfully delivered eight of these Barges till date and are being utilised by Indian Navy for its operation evolutions by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
Union Budget 2025-26 for MoD
- In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’ and fostering a technologically advanced and self-reliant (‘Aatmanirbhar’) military, the Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹6,81,210.27 crore for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This allocation, accounting for 13.45% of the Union Budget, marks a 9.53% increase from the previous fiscal year, emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s defense capabilities.
Capital Outlay and Modernization
- A significant portion of the budget, ₹1,80,000 crore (26.43%), is earmarked for capital outlay, focusing on modernization and infrastructural development. This includes ₹1,48,722.80 crore for capital acquisitions, such as advanced aircraft and next-generation submarines, and ₹31,277.20 crore for R&D and infrastructure. The budget prioritizes domestic procurement, with ₹1,11,544.83 crore (75% of the modernization budget) allocated for indigenous purchases, fostering self-reliance and boosting local industries.
Operational Readiness and Revenue Allocation
- The budget allocates ₹3,11,732.30 crore for operational readiness and maintenance of the Armed Forces, a 10.24% increase from FY 2024-25. This fund supports pay and allowances, as well as essential supplies like fuel, ordnance, and equipment maintenance. An additional ₹1,97,317.30 crore is reserved for personnel expenses, ensuring the welfare and preparedness of the forces.
Boosting Defence Research and Development
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) receives a 12.41% budget increase, totaling ₹26,816.82 crore. This allocation aims to enhance fundamental research and collaborations with private industries, driving innovation in emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Encouraging Private Sector Innovation
- To promote self-reliance in defense technology, ₹449.62 crore is allocated to the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. This initiative supports startups and private enterprises in developing cutting-edge solutions, strengthening India’s defense ecosystem.
Welfare of Veterans and Defence Pension
- Acknowledging the sacrifices of veterans, ₹1,60,795 crore is allocated for defense pensions, covering approximately 34 lakh pensioners. The budget also allocates ₹8,317 crore for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), ensuring superior healthcare for veterans and their families.
Strengthening the Indian Coast Guard
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) sees a substantial budget increase of 26.50%, amounting to ₹9,676.70 crore. The capital budget of ₹5,000 crore, a 43% rise from the previous year, enables the acquisition of Advanced Light Helicopters, Dornier Aircraft, and Fast Patrol Vessels, enhancing coastal security and emergency response.
Enhancing Border Infrastructure
- With ₹7,146.50 crore allocated to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the budget supports infrastructure projects like tunnels, bridges, and strategic roads in critical regions such as Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. These developments not only bolster national security but also promote economic growth and employment opportunities in border areas.
Conclusion
- The Union Budget 2025-26 demonstrates India’s resolve to advance its defense capabilities while promoting self-reliance and modernization. Through strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, and welfare, the budget reinforces India’s preparedness to tackle emerging security challenges and contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
DRDO Successfully Conducts Successive Flight-trials
- DRDO has successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. These tests were carried out against high-speed targets flying at very low altitude.
- During all the three flight-tests, the missiles intercepted and completely destroyed the targets having reduced thermal signature mimicking low flying drones at different flying conditions.VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Center Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners.
- The missile system has the capability to meet the needs of all the three branches of the Armed Forces, viz. Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Top Bhutanese Army commander begins 6-day visit to India
- Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering, began a six-day visit to India on Saturday to further enhance the already close defence ties between the two countries. Lt Gen.
- Tshering is scheduled to hold talks with Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- The visit is focused on fostering closer bilateral military cooperation and exploring new avenues for defence collaboration, an Indian readout said.
- The top Bhutanese military commander’s trip comes around two months after Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India.
- India is Bhutan’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade tripling from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1,615 million in 2022-23.
- The 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty and the 2016 Trade, Commerce, and Transit Agreement establish a free trade regime, with duty-free transit for Bhutan’s goods through India.
- Indian investments constitute 50% of Bhutan’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), spanning various sectors like banking, manufacturing, hospitality, and education.
Indian Army Looks To Bolster Strength With Advanced Indigenous Drones
- The Indian Army is currently implementing a long-term strategy to enhance its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). With an increasing reliance on drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strikes, the Army aims to bolster its technological capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare, as reported by TOI. The rising operational utility of drones has been underlined by recent conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine and Armenia-Azerbaijan wars, which have highlighted the effectiveness of unmanned systems in real-time combat scenarios.
- Sources within the Indian Army revealed to TOI that the service is looking to acquire UAVs that can operate at ranges exceeding 1,000 km, particularly for strategic ISR missions. Additionally, these drones must be capable of flying at altitudes above 30,000 feet to evade detection and must have an endurance of more than 24 hours. The requirement for such advanced drones is driven by the need to enhance surveillance along India’s borders, particularly with China and Pakistan, where the military standoff remains ongoing.
- Current Drone Capabilities and Challenges
- The Indian Army currently operates a fleet of about 50 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones, including the Heron Mark-I and Mark-II, and Searcher-II drones, which are primarily used for surveillance and targeting. In contrast, China operates a significantly larger fleet of over 2,000 UAVs, including combat drones like the Cai Hong-4, CH-5, and the stealthy Hongdu GJ-11 ‘Sharp Sword’. These drones are an integral part of China’s military operations and exports, with countries like Pakistan receiving armed drones such as the CH-4 and Wing Loong-II.
Multiple Choice Questions of DCA
- The launching ceremony of the 9th ACTCM Barge, LSAM 23 (Yard 133), was
held at which shipyard?
A. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
B. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL)
C. Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane
D. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)
ANSWER: C - What is the total defence budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence for FY
2025-26?
A. Rs 6,50,000 crore
B. Rs 6,81,210.27 crore
C. Rs 7,00,000 crore
D. Rs 6,20,000 crore
ANSWER: B - What percentage of the total defence budget is allocated for Capital Outlay on
Defence Services?
A. 20.34%
B. 23.12%
C. 26.43%
D. 30.25%
ANSWER: C - How much budget has been allocated for DRDO in FY 2025-26?
A. Rs 23,855.61 crore
B. Rs 25,500 crore
C. Rs 26,816.82 crore
D. Rs 27,000 crore
ANSWER: C - Which missile system was successfully tested by DRDO from Chandipur,
Odisha?
A. Akash
B. Nag
C. VSHORADS
D. Astra
ANSWER: C - Which DRDO laboratory played a major role in developing the VSHORADS
missile system?
A. Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL)
B. Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
C. Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE)
D. Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE)
ANSWER: B - Which country will host the Quad Leaders Summit meeting in 2025?
A. Japan
B. Australia
C. India
D. United States
ANSWER: C - INS Vikramaditya Is A Modified ___Aircraft Carrier.
A. Kiev-Class
B. Surya- Class
C. Kalashnikov-Class
D. None
ANSWER: A - Defence Services Staff College Is Located At
A. Wellington
B. Chennai
C. New Delhi
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Motto of DSSC Is
A. To War with Wisdom
B. Valour and Courage
C. Fight With Determination
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Cabinet Committee on Security Is Headed By
A. PM
B. NSA
C. The President
D. COAS Indian Army
ANSWER: A - Air Marshal Rank of IAF Is Equivalent To Which Rank Of Indian Army?
A. Brigadier
B. Lt. Gen
C. Captain
D. Major General
ANSWER: B - How Many States In India Have A Coastline?
A. Seven
B. Eight
C. Nine
D. Ten
ANSWER: C - OPEC Hq Is In
A. Budapest, Hungary
B. New York, USA
C. Luanda, Angola
D. Vienna, Austria
ANSWER: D - AUKUS Stands For
A. Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, & the United States
B. Australia, the United Kingdom, & the United States
C. Australia, the United Kingdom, & Uganda
D. Argentina, the United Kingdom, & the United States
ANSWER: B - “2001 Space Odyssey” Book Written By
A. C. Clarke
B. Abhijit Chavda
C. Hew Strachan
D. APJ Abdul Kalam
ANSWER: A - DRDO Lakshya Is A
A. Fighter Jet
B. Ship
C. Tank
D. UAV
ANSWER: D - Captain Rank of Indian Navy Equivalent to Which rank of IAF?
A. Flying Officer
B. Flight Lieutenant
C. Group Captain
D. None
ANSWER: C - Predator B (MQ-9 Reaper) Is A
A. Helicopter
B. Machine Gun
C. UAV
D. Fighter Jet
ANSWER: C - International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Hq Is At
A. London, United Kingdom
B. Vienna, Austria
C. Paris, France
D. Geneva, Switzerland
ANSWER: A
ALSO READ:
- Latest Daily Current Affairs and Defence Updates
- Defence Current Affairs Year End Review 2024
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs November 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs October 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs September 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs August 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs July 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs June 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs May 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs April 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs March 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs February 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Monthly Defence Current Affairs January 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
