In Current Affairs for 12 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 12 January 2026
BRICS Plus Naval Drills Signal Shifting Global Maritime Alignments
China, Russia, and Iran have launched a week-long joint naval exercise off the coast of South Africa, marking a significant development under the expanded BRICS Plus framework. The drills, titled Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026, began at Simon’s Town Harbour near Cape Town and are intended to enhance maritime security cooperation and safeguard economic activities at sea.
The exercise has sparked local protests in South Africa, with sections of the population opposing the presence of Russian naval forces. Despite domestic concerns, the drills underscore the growing strategic collaboration among BRICS Plus members.
Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS grouping has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting a broader Global South coalition.
The naval manoeuvres are taking place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly involving the United States under President Donald Trump and several BRICS Plus countries. Iran’s participation is especially significant due to its strong naval posture in the Middle East and its deepening ties with Russia amid international sanctions. For Moscow, the drills represent a continued pivot towards non-Western alliances following the Ukraine conflict, reinforcing narratives of resistance to Western dominance.
India Unveils PARAM SHAKTI Supercomputing Facility
India has taken a major step toward technological self-reliance with the inauguration of PARAM SHAKTI, a cutting-edge supercomputing system at IIT Madras. Built entirely using domestic resources, the facility reflects the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat in advanced computing.
The system is powered by indigenous RUDRA servers developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and operates on open-source software platforms. With the capability to perform over 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second, PARAM SHAKTI places IIT Madras among the most powerful academic computing hubs in the country.
The supercomputer will play a transformative role in research areas such as materials science, enabling complex atom-level simulations and the discovery of advanced alloys and composites. These advancements have direct implications for defence manufacturing, including the development of lightweight yet high-strength materials for aircraft structures and missile systems.
ISRO Successfully Launches Second Strategic Surveillance Mission
India’s space agency, ISRO, continued its series of strategic launches in early 2026 with the successful deployment of a high-value surveillance satellite. The PSLV-C62 mission lifted off from Sriharikota at 10:18 am IST and placed the Anvesha (EOS-N1) satellite into orbit.
Developed by DRDO and managed by New Space India Limited (NSIL), the mission also carried 18 co-passenger satellites from Indian and international clients, highlighting India’s growing stature in the global commercial launch market.
Anvesha is equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging sensors, capable of detecting objects invisible to conventional cameras. By analysing fine spectral signatures, the satellite can accurately identify camouflaged military assets, hidden metals, vehicles, and troop movements.
Another key mission, PSLV-C63/TDS-01, demonstrated critical indigenous technologies, including high-thrust electric propulsion, travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers, and quantum key distribution systems, strengthening India’s future satellite and defence communication capabilities.
Iran Issues Strong Warning Amid Widespread Protests
Iran is facing intense internal unrest as nationwide protests against the country’s theocratic system continue into their third week. Demonstrations in Tehran and other major cities have reportedly resulted in over 116 deaths, with around 2,600 people detained, according to human rights groups.
The situation has been complicated by widespread internet shutdowns and communication blackouts, making independent verification difficult. International observers fear that the information blackout could enable a harsher crackdown by Iranian security forces.
Amid the turmoil, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that U.S. military forces and Israel would be considered legitimate targets if Washington attacks Iran. The warning followed strong statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly expressed support for Iranian protesters and hinted at possible military action.
U.S. media reports suggest that military strike options were presented to Trump, though no final decision has been announced. The U.S. State Department further cautioned Iran against underestimating the president’s warnings.
Sweden Announces $1.6 Billion Investment in Air Defence
Sweden has approved a major defence investment of 15 billion Swedish crowns (approximately $1.6 billion) to strengthen its air defence systems, primarily to safeguard civilians and critical infrastructure.
Like many European nations, Sweden has ramped up defence spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite its large geographic area, the country has remained exposed to aerial threats, prompting urgent upgrades.
Defence Minister Pål Jonson emphasized that lessons from the Ukraine war highlight the necessity of a resilient and layered air defence network. The planned purchases include short-range air defence systems designed to protect cities, power plants, bridges, and other vital facilities.
Separately, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticized what he described as threatening rhetoric from the U.S. administration toward Greenland and Denmark, asserting that Denmark has been a steadfast ally deserving respect.
Review Questions
- Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 is associated with which of the following?
A. India–Japan naval cooperation
B. NATO maritime patrol mission
C. BRICS Plus joint naval exercise
D. ASEAN coastal security programme
ANSWER: C - PARAM SHAKTI, recently inaugurated at IIT Madras, is best described as:
A. An AI-based missile guidance system
B. A satellite launch vehicle
C. An indigenous supercomputing facility
D. A cyber security command centre
ANSWER: C - Which satellite launched by ISRO carries hyperspectral imaging sensors for
strategic surveillance?
A. Cartosat-3
B. RISAT-2BR1
C. Anvesha (EOS-N1)
D. GSAT-24
ANSWER: C - Iran warned that which countries’ forces would be considered legitimate
targets if attacked?
A. Saudi Arabia and UAE
B. United States and Israel
C. United Kingdom and France
D. NATO member states
ANSWER: B - Sweden’s $1.6 billion defence investment is primarily aimed at strengthening:
A. Naval submarine fleet
B. Cyber warfare capabilities
C. Long-range missile arsenal
D. Air defence systems for civilian protection
ANSWER: D - ABHYAS HEAT was successfully flight-tested from
A. Kochi
B. Konkan Coast
C. Chennai
D. ITR, Chandipur Coast
ANSWER: D - ABHYAS Is Designed & Developed By
A. Aeronautical Development Establishment
B. Aeronautics Development Establishment
C. Aeronautical Development Estimate
D. None
ANSWER: A - Army War College Is Located At
A. Mhow
B. Nashik
C. Pune
D. Noida
ANSWER: A - AUSINDEX Ex hosted by
A. USA
B. Sweden
C. France
D. Australia
ANSWER: D - Commander Rank of Indian Navy Is Equivalent To Which Rank of IAF? “
A. Air Marshal
B. Flight Lt.
C. Captain
D. Wing Commander
ANSWER: D - INS Utkrosh Naval Air Station Is Located At
A. A&N
B. Lakshadweep
C. Puducherry
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - SNC Is In
A. Mumbai
B. Kochi
C. Chennai
D. Panaji
ANSWER: B - Monrovia Is The Capital Of
A. Liberia
B. Qatar
C. Madagascar
D. Liechtenstein
ANSWER: A - “A Century ls Not Enough” Book Is Written By
A. Sachin Tendulkar
B. David Reich
C. Rahul Dravid
D. Sourav Ganguly
ANSWER: D - Rear Admiral Rank Of Indian Navy Is Equivalent To Which Rank Of IAF?
A. Air Vice Marshal
B. Group Captain
C. Commodore
D. Major
ANSWER: A - Farkhor Air Base operated by Indian Air Force in collaboration with the__
A. Iranian Air Force
B. Israel Air Force
C. USA Air Force
D. Tajik Air Force
ANSWER: D - What is the name given to India’s first-ever satellite and nuclear-missile
tracking ship?
A. INS Tez
B. INS Parvat
C. INS Eklavya
D. INS Dhruv
ANSWER: D - What is Arjun Mk1A?
A. Anti-tank Guided Missile
B. Main Battle Tank
C. Fighter jets
D. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
ANSWER: B - Which country hosted the multinational Exercise Desert Flag?
A. UAE
B. US
C. UK
D. France
ANSWER: A - Which country hosted Exercise KAKADU?
A. Australia
B. US
C. UK
D. France
ANSWER: A
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