Defence Current Affairs 09 January 2026

In Current Affairs for 09 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial...

In Current Affairs for 09 January 2026, 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 Current Affairs.

Defence Current Affairs 09 January 2026

Russia Intensifies Air Assault on Kyiv Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Russia carried out fresh aerial attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and nearby areas, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive damage, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that at least three people lost their lives while 13 others sustained injuries after missiles and drones struck residential neighborhoods, setting apartment buildings ablaze.

Among the casualties was a medical responder who was killed while attending to victims at a housing complex that was hit twice in quick succession. Authorities are still verifying whether the medic’s death has been included in the initial casualty count.

Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert, warning citizens that missile strikes could occur anywhere in the country after Russian long-range bombers were detected in the air. Regional officials urged residents to remain inside shelters until the air raid sirens were lifted. In western Ukraine, a ballistic missile reportedly struck key infrastructure in Lviv shortly before midnight.

Following the strikes, officials reassured the public that radiation levels remained within safe limits. The escalation came shortly after the US Embassy in Kyiv cautioned of a potentially large-scale Russian air offensive in the coming days — a warning echoed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly address.

The bombardment followed Moscow’s rejection of a peacekeeping proposal discussed at a summit in Paris, with Russia accusing Ukraine and its partners of forming what it described as an “axis of war.”

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Bangladesh and Pakistan Strengthen Defence Engagement

Bangladesh’s Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan held high-level talks with Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Asim Munir, in Rawalpindi, focusing on enhancing military cooperation between the two countries.

The discussions covered regional security challenges, shared strategic interests, and ways to deepen defence collaboration, including professional training and joint engagements. Both sides emphasized the importance of sustained military ties and mutual learning between their armed forces.

Marshal Khan praised the operational professionalism of Pakistan’s military and acknowledged its role in promoting stability in the region. In response, General Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building long-term defence partnerships with Bangladesh.

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India and Germany Close to Historic $8 Billion Submarine Deal

India and Germany are nearing completion of negotiations for a landmark submarine manufacturing agreement valued at over $8 billion, which would mark New Delhi’s largest defence deal to date.

The proposed agreement, expected to be finalized ahead of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming visit to India, would include technology transfer for submarine construction — a first for India under such a deal. If approved, the project would replace India’s plan to acquire additional French-built submarines.

Under the partnership, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited would jointly produce the submarines domestically. India’s navy currently operates aging Russian vessels alongside newer French models, highlighting the need for fleet modernization.

The submarines will feature air-independent propulsion systems, allowing them to remain submerged for extended durations, significantly improving operational stealth. These vessels are expected to enhance India’s maritime surveillance and security capabilities in the Indian Ocean, particularly amid China’s growing naval footprint.

Beyond defence, India and Germany are also exploring deeper cooperation in pharmaceuticals and trade. Chancellor Merz is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat and later visit Bengaluru, while also pushing for faster progress on an India-EU free trade agreement.

Despite diversification efforts, India remains one of the world’s largest importers of military equipment, with Russia still being its primary supplier.

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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Discuss Fighter Jet-Linked Loan Conversion

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are reportedly in negotiations to convert around $2 billion of Saudi financial assistance into a defence deal involving JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, signalling closer military ties between the two nations.

The talks reflect Pakistan’s efforts to manage severe economic challenges while Saudi Arabia reassesses its regional security partnerships amid uncertainty over long-term US involvement in the Middle East. The discussions follow the signing of a mutual defence agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh last year.

Sources familiar with the matter said the JF-17 — a light combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China — is the primary option under consideration. One source indicated the overall deal could be worth $4 billion, including additional defence equipment beyond the loan conversion.

Saudi Arabia has played a key role in supporting Pakistan’s economy in recent years. In 2018, Riyadh announced a $6 billion assistance package, which included central bank deposits and deferred oil payments. These deposits have been rolled over multiple times, helping Pakistan stabilize its foreign exchange reserves during periods of financial stress.

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Review Questions

  1. According to Ukrainian officials, how many people were initially reported dead
    in the Russian air strikes on Kyiv?
    A. Two
    B. Three
    C. Five
    D. Seven
    ANSWER: B
  2. Which Ukrainian city in the western region was reported to have been hit by a
    ballistic missile during the latest Russian attacks?
    A. Odesa
    B. Kharkiv
    C. Lviv
    D. Dnipro
    ANSWER: C
  3. Bangladesh’s Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met which Pakistani
    official to discuss defence cooperation?
    A. Prime Minister of Pakistan
    B. Chief of Army Staff
    C. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
    D. Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
    ANSWER: D
  4. Which two companies are expected to jointly manufacture submarines under
    the proposed India–Germany defence deal?
    A. HAL and Airbus
    B. DRDO and Rheinmetall
    C. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd
    D. Naval Group and Larsen & Toubro
    ANSWER: C
  5. The JF-17 Thunder fighter jets discussed in Pakistan–Saudi Arabia talks are
    jointly developed by Pakistan and which country?
    A. Russia
    B. Turkey
    C. China
    D. United States
    ANSWER: C
  6. Daulat Beg Oldie, a well-known airstrip for supply of provisions to the armed
    forces is located in
    A. Sikkim
    B. Ladakh
    C. Arunachal Pradesh
    D. Andaman Islands
    ANSWER: B
  7. Which of the following is the equivalent rank in the Army of the Naval rank of
    Captain?
    A. Captain
    B. Colonel
    C. Brigadier
    D. Major
    ANSWER: B
  8. Which of the following is the home base of the aircraft carrier INS
    Vikramaditya?
    A. Karwar
    B. Jamnagar
    C. Cochin
    D. Visakhapatnam
    ANSWER: A
  9. The department of Atomic Energy was established in
    A. 1948
    B. 1954
    C. 1963
    D. 1971
    ANSWER: B
  10. The Country’s First Indigenously Built Missile Boat Was.
    A. INS Vibhuti
    B. INS Vipul
    C. INS Savitri
    D. INS Shakti
    ANSWER: A
  11. Who was the first Indian to go into space?
    A. Rakesh Sharma
    B. Satish Dhawan
    C. Kalpana Chawla
    D. Ravi Malhotra
    ANSWER: A
  12. What was the code name of the operation to conduct nuclear test at Pokhran
    in May 1998?
    A. Shakti
    B. Hansa
    C. Buddha
    D. Shiva
    ANSWER: A
  13. The Uri Hydroelectric project is located in
    A. Jammu and Kashmir
    B. Himachal Pradesh
    C. Uttar Pradesh
    D. Haryana
    ANSWER: A
  14. When did India enter into space age by launching the satellite ‘Aryabhatta’?
    A. 1966
    B. 1932
    C. 1975
    D. 1990
    ANSWER: C
  15. “CTBT” is a term related to
    A. Nuclear weapons
    B. Electric House
    C. Space Research
    D. Atomic Research
    ANSWER: A
  16. Which of the following Indian states does NOT share its boundaries with
    Nepal?
    A. West Bengal
    B. Sikkim
    C. Uttarakhand
    D. Assam
    ANSWER: D
  17. “How to Prevent the Next Pandemic” Book Is Written By
    A. Bill Gates
    B. Rajiv Bhatia
    C. J. Sai Deepak
    D. Samuel Moyn
    ANSWER: A
  18. Operation Devi Shakti Was Conducted In
    A. 2016
    B. 2017
    C. 2018
    D. 2021
    ANSWER: D
  19. SSLV Stands For
    A. Small Satellite Low Vehicle
    B. Small Satellite Launch Velocity
    C. Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
    D. None
    ANSWER: C
  20. President’s Bodyguard Motto Is
    A. Jai Hind
    B. Sarvda Shaktishali
    C. Bharat Mata Ki Jai
    D. Rashtra Pratham
    ANSWER: C

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Divyanshu Pandey

Senior Lecturer General Studies, SSBCrackExams, Cleared CDS 4 times, NDA 2 times, Ex- N.C.C. cadet, SSB Expert. Passionate Teacher, Trained defence aspirants for their SSB Interview, BSc in PCM expertise in Geography, Indian Polity, Current Affairs and Defence affairs. Writing Article and Travelling solo.