In Defence Current Affairs for 11 August 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 11 August 2026
150 Years of Vande Mataram and Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047
India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national celebrations from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. This year’s celebrations will also highlight two important themes: 150 years of Vande Mataram and Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047.
The year 2026 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, the National Song that played an important role in inspiring Indians during the freedom struggle. According to the PPT, the song will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as part of the Independence Day programme.
A major visual tribute will be created on Gyanpath, opposite the Red Fort ramparts. Around 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers, including boys and girls, will form the words “वंदे मातरम्”.
The Indian Air Force will also participate in the celebrations. An Mi-17 helicopter will carry a banner commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram and shower flower petals over the gathering at the Red Fort.
The celebrations will also recognise India’s young achievers. The 19 medal-winning students from the International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiads 2026 have been invited to the Independence Day function, highlighting India’s achievements in science and the contribution of the country’s youth.
Key Facts
- 80th Independence Day: 15 August 2026
- Vande Mataram: 150 years
- NCC/My Bharat volunteers: 2,500
- Helicopter: Mi-17
- Olympiad achievers invited: 19 medal-winning students
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan Visits Mauritius
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), is undertaking a four-day official visit to Mauritius from 10 to 13 August 2026. The visit reflects India’s continued efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation and defence relations with Mauritius.
Mauritius is an important partner for India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The visit is aimed at enhancing operational-level cooperation and consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries.
India and Mauritius maintain a long-standing maritime relationship. The Indian Navy regularly cooperates with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius through training exchanges, operational interactions, joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, port visits and hydrographic surveys.
Mauritius also participates in several Indian Navy-led initiatives, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), MILAN, International Fleet Review, Goa Maritime Conclave, IOS SAGAR and Exercise AIKEYME. These engagements support the broader vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Significance
The visit demonstrates India’s emphasis on maritime security, regional cooperation and capacity building in the Indian Ocean.
Key Facts
- CNS: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
- Country visited: Mauritius
- Visit: 10–13 August 2026
- Region: Indian Ocean Region
- Key cooperation: EEZ surveillance, training, port visits and hydrography
Indian Navy and Coast Guard to Acquire 15 C295 Maritime Aircraft
The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard are set to acquire 15 C295 maritime aircraft to strengthen India’s maritime surveillance and tactical airlift capabilities. The planned acquisition includes nine aircraft for the Navy and six for the Coast Guard.
The procurement is part of India’s broader effort to modernise its maritime aviation capabilities. The Ministry of Defence has already initiated the procurement process for the maritime version of the C295MW aircraft.
The Navy’s nine aircraft will be configured for Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) missions. They are expected to be equipped with systems including sonobuoys, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, enabling them to undertake surveillance and anti-submarine warfare-related missions.
The six aircraft for the Coast Guard will have multi-mission configurations, allowing them to perform roles such as surveillance, search and rescue, and intelligence gathering.
The project also strengthens the Tata-Airbus defence partnership and supports the expansion of indigenous aerospace manufacturing.
Significance
The acquisition will improve India’s ability to monitor its vast maritime territory and respond to emerging security challenges in the Indian Ocean.
Key Facts
- Total aircraft: 15 C295
- Indian Navy: 9
- Indian Coast Guard: 6
- Navy role: Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance
- Coast Guard role: Multi-mission operations
- Major systems: Sonobuoys, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles
HAL to Build 12 New Su-30MKI Fighters at Nashik
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revived production of the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at its Nashik facility. Under the latest plan, 12 new Su-30MKIs are expected to be delivered by 2029, with the first aircraft likely to roll out between 2027 and 2028.
The Nashik facility has extensive experience in manufacturing the Russian-origin Su-30MKI under licence. It has already produced 222 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
In December 2024, a contract worth approximately ₹11,000 crore was signed for 12 additional aircraft. These fighters are intended to replace aircraft lost in accidents and will feature more than 50% indigenous content, supporting India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence production.
Alongside new production, India is planning a major upgrade of the existing Su-30MKI fleet. The proposed modernisation programme is estimated at approximately ₹60,000 crore and is expected to involve DRDO and private-sector participation.
The upgraded aircraft are expected to receive improved detection capabilities, greater electronic-warfare resilience and advanced flight-control systems. These upgrades are intended to keep the Su-30MKI relevant to network-centric warfare requirements well into the next decade.
Significance
The combination of new aircraft production and fleet modernisation will strengthen the Indian Air Force’s combat capability while increasing domestic content in defence manufacturing.
Key Facts
- Manufacturer: HAL
- Aircraft: Su-30MKI
- New aircraft: 12
- Delivery target: 2029
- New contract: ₹11,000 crore
- Fleet upgrade: About ₹60,000 crore
- Indigenous content in new fighters: More than 50%
India Reaffirms ASEAN Partnership Through Act East Policy
India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as part of its Act East Policy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed India’s commitment on the occasion of the 59th ASEAN Day.
India-ASEAN relations have expanded beyond traditional diplomatic engagement and now cover several areas, including connectivity, trade, digital cooperation, resilient supply chains, defence, education and cultural exchanges.
The relationship has strategic importance because ASEAN occupies a central position in the Indo-Pacific region. India sees stronger ASEAN engagement as important for promoting peace, stability, economic growth and regional connectivity.
The discussions followed the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India 2026, held in Manila in July. Both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
According to the PPT, ASEAN was founded in 1967 by five countries and now comprises 11 Southeast Asian nations, with a combined population of more than 700 million and a GDP exceeding US$4 trillion.
Significance for India
A strong India-ASEAN partnership supports India’s objectives related to:
- Indo-Pacific security
- Regional connectivity
- Trade and investment
- Digital cooperation
- Supply-chain resilience
- Defence cooperation
Key Facts
- Organisation: ASEAN
- ASEAN Day: 59th ASEAN Day in 2026
- India’s approach: Act East Policy
- Founded: 1967
- Current members: 11
- Combined population: 700+ million
- Combined GDP: US$4+ trillion
Review Questions
- In 2026, India is commemorating how many years of Vande Mataram?
A) 100 years
B) 125 years
C) 150 years
D) 175 years
Answer: C) 150 years - How many NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers are planned to form “वंदे
मातरम्” on Gyanpath during Independence Day celebrations 2026?
A) 1,500
B) 2,000
C) 2,500
D) 3,000
Answer: C) 2,500 - Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, is visiting which country
from 10–13 August 2026?
A) Seychelles
B) Maldives
C) Sri Lanka
D) Mauritius
Answer: D) Mauritius - How many C295 maritime aircraft are planned to be acquired by the Indian Navy
and Coast Guard?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 15
D) 18
Answer: C) 15 - How many new Su-30MKI fighter aircraft is HAL planning to build at its Nashik
facility?
A) 8
B) 10
C) 12
D) 15
Answer: C) 12 - India’s engagement with ASEAN is primarily guided by which policy?
A) Look West Policy
B) Neighbourhood First Policy
C) Act East Policy
D) Think East Policy
Answer: C) Act East Policy - COP Stands For
A. Creator of Parties
B. Conference of Parties
C. Conference of Programme
D. None
ANSWER: B - Raising Day of BRO Observed On
A. 6 May
B. 7 May
C. 8 May
D. 9 May
ANSWER: B - Akash Prime Is A
A. Rocket
B. Air Defecne Missile System
C. Sniper Rifle
D. Tank
ANSWER: B - NAVIC Stands For
A. India Regional Navigation Satellite System
B. Indian Regional Navigator Satellite System
C. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Source
D. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
ANSWER: D - Major Rank of the Indian Army Is Equivalent To Which Rank of The Indian
Navy?
A. Captain
B. Inspector
C. Lt Commander
D. Vice-admiral
ANSWER: C - Training Command of IAF is located at
A. New Delhi
B. Bangalore
C. Gurugram
D. Lucknow
ANSWER: B - Captain Of Indian Army Is Equivalent To Rank of IAF Is
A. Wing Commander
B. Squadron Leader
C. Flight Lt.
D. Air Chief Marshal
ANSWER: C - Colonel Rank of Indian Army Is Equivalent To Rank Of Indian Navy Is
A. Commander
B. Captain
C. Group Captain
D. Lieutenant
ANSWER: B - Warsaw Is The Capital Of
A. Oman
B. Germany
C. Ukraine
D. Poland
ANSWER: D - “Indian Fiscal Federalism” Book Is Written By
A. Dr. Bibek Debroy
B. Dr. Krishna Saksena
C. Dr. Y.V. Reddy
D. Jairam Ramesh
ANSWER: C - Tangail Airdrop Was Done at Which War
A. 1948
B. 1962
C. 1965
D. 1971
ANSWER: D - War Cry of NAGA REGIMENT
A. Bharat Mata ki Jai
B. Ki ki so so Lhargyalo
C. Jai Durga Naga
D. Durga Mata Ki Jai
ANSWER: C - Sankalp-class OPV Designed and Built By
A. Goa Shipyard Limited
B. GRSE
C. MDL
D. CSL
ANSWER: A - Mitra Shakti Ex Held B/w India &
A. Sri Lanka
B. USA
C. UK
D. Nepal
ANSWER: A
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