In Defence Current Affairs for 09 May 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 May 2026
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani Appointed as Chief of Defence Staff
The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He will also serve as Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Military Affairs from the date he assumes office.
The current CDS, General Anil Chauhan, is scheduled to complete his tenure on May 30, 2026.
Before this appointment, Lt Gen Raja Subramani served as the Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat from September 2025. Earlier, he held the position of Vice Chief of the Army Staff between July 2024 and July 2025. He also served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985.
Throughout his distinguished military career of more than four decades, he has commanded several important formations and served in operational, instructional, and staff roles across diverse terrains and conflict zones. His leadership assignments included commanding 16 Garhwal Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Assam under Operation Rhino, 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, 17 Mountain Division, and the prestigious 2 Corps on the western front.
Lt Gen Raja Subramani has also pursued advanced military education at the Joint Services Command Staff College in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in New Delhi. He possesses a Master’s degree from King’s College London and an M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University.
For his outstanding service, he has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan Named Chief of Naval Staff
The Government has also appointed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. He will succeed Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is retiring on May 31, 2026.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the 34th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command in July 2025. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1987, he is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare.
He studied at the National Defence Academy, Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom, College of Naval Warfare in Karanja, and the United States Naval War College in Newport.
During his naval career, he has commanded several important warships and naval platforms including INS Vidyut, INS Vinash, INS Kulish, INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
The Admiral has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service.
India to Procure 83 Indigenous CADET Air Defence Systems
India has initiated the procurement of 83 Carrier Air Defence Tracked (CADET) systems under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, marking a significant advancement in mobile air defence capability.
The CADET system represents a major shift from conventional static air defence systems to mobile and network-centric protection for mechanised forces. Developed with over 65 percent indigenous content, the project strongly supports the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Unlike older systems, CADET is a tracked and armoured platform capable of moving alongside tanks and infantry combat vehicles. This allows mechanised formations to remain protected from aerial threats during rapid movement and combat operations.
The system is integrated with the Akashteer C4ISR framework, enabling real-time threat assessment, sensor integration, and coordinated responses. It is designed to counter drones, loitering munitions, low-flying aircraft, and attack helicopters effectively.
The induction of these systems is expected to significantly improve the Indian Army’s operational readiness and battlefield survivability.
Bajrang UAV Successfully Conducts Heavy-Lift Drone Trial
Ahmedabad-based Bajrang UAV Private Limited has successfully tested its PX4P2300 heavy-lift cargo drone in the high-altitude region of Shinkula Top in Ladakh.
The UAV carried a payload of 30 kilograms at an altitude of nearly 16,400 feet, demonstrating its capability to operate in extreme weather and terrain conditions. The drone achieved a flight endurance of around 20 minutes despite challenges such as thin air, freezing temperatures, and strong winds.
This successful test highlights India’s growing capability in indigenous UAV development and its potential use in military logistics.
Heavy-lift drones like the PX4P2300 can play an important role in supplying medicines, food, communication equipment, ammunition, and emergency materials to remote border areas where transportation infrastructure is limited.
DRDO Conducts Maiden Flight-Trial of TARA Weapon
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force successfully carried out the maiden flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the Odisha coast on May 7, 2026.
TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons. The modular range extension kit has been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories.
The weapon is intended to improve the accuracy and lethality of low-cost weapons against ground-based targets. It incorporates advanced yet economical technologies, making it a significant achievement in indigenous defence innovation.
The development process involved Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) and several Indian industries, which have already begun production activities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, the Indian Air Force, and the participating industries for the successful trial, calling it a major step in strengthening India’s self-reliant defence capabilities.
DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the successful test.
Review Questions
- Who has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India in
2026?
A) General Anil Chauhan
B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani
C) Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
D) General Manoj Pande
Answer: B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani - Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been appointed as the new:
A) Chief of Army Staff
B) National Security Adviser
C) Chief of Naval Staff
D) Chief of Air Staff
Answer: C) Chief of Naval Staff - The CADET system procured by India is mainly related to:
A) Naval warfare
B) Space surveillance
C) Mobile air defence
D) Cyber security
Answer: C) Mobile air defence - Bajrang UAV successfully tested its PX4P2300 heavy-lift drone in which region?
A) Rajasthan Desert
B) Andaman Islands
C) Siachen Glacier
D) Shinkula Top, Ladakh
Answer: D) Shinkula Top, Ladakh - TARA weapon system developed by DRDO is India’s first indigenous:
A) Ballistic missile
B) Glide weapon system
C) Anti-submarine drone
D) Laser defence system
Answer: B) Glide weapon system - The Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon was developed by
DRDO’s:
A) DRDL Hyderabad
B) ADE Bengaluru
C) Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
D) ARDE Pune
Answer: C) Research Centre Imarat (RCI) - Major General Rank of Indian Army Is Equivalent To Which Rank Of IAF?
A. Flying Officer
B. Flight Lieutenant
C. Squadron Leader
D. Air Vice Marshal
ANSWER: D - Valour and faith Is The Motto Of
A. Mechanised Infantry Regiment
B. JKLI
C. Rajput Regiment
D. Ladakh Scouts
ANSWER: A - Regimental Centre of RAJPUT REGIMENT Is In
A. Sultanpur
B. Noida
C. New Delhi
D. Fatehgarh
ANSWER: D - Defence Acquisition Council Headed By
A. Defence Minister
B. CDS
C. COAS
D. PM
ANSWER: A - INS Sindhukirti Is A
A. Destroyer
B. OPV
C. Submarine
D. Tank
ANSWER: C - Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is a shipyard located in
A. Mumbai
B. Kochi
C. Chennai
D. Visakhapatnam
ANSWER: D - INS Brahmaputra (F31) Is A
A. Destroyer
B. OPV
C. Submarine
D. Guided missile frigate
ANSWER: D - World’s Highest Battlefield Is In
A. Drass
B. Kishtwar
C. Jaipur
D. Siachen
ANSWER: D - Ulaanbaatar Is The Capital Of
A. Oman
B. Mozambique
C. Mongolia
D. Maldives
ANSWER: C - “Kashmiri Century: Portrait of a Society in Flux” Book Is Written By
A. Kavitha Rao
B. Bimal Jalan
C. Hew Strachan
D. Khemlata Wakhlu
ANSWER: D - AFV Stands For
A. Armoured Fighting Vehicle
B. Armoured Furious Vehicle
C. Army Fighting Vehicle
D. None
ANSWER: A - Where Is The Hq Of The Southern Command of The Indian Navy?
A. Kochi
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Pune
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A - Exercises B/w The India And Mongolia Is Called:
A. Nomadic Elephant
B. SLINEX
C. Indra
D. Yudha Abhyas
ANSWER: A - India Purchased Rafale Jet from
A. USA
B. Sweden
C. France
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C
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