In Defence Current Affairs for 20 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 20 August 2026
65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament Begins in New Delhi
The 65th edition of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament began on 18 August 2026 at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. The tournament continues the long-standing tradition of promoting young football talent and providing promising players with an opportunity to compete at a national and international-level platform.
Opening Match
The opening day’s featured match was played in the Junior Girls Under-17 category, where Meghalaya defeated Chandigarh 2–0.
The goals for Meghalaya were scored by Genefa and Wandari.
The opening ceremony included performances by the Air Warriors Drill Team and a cultural presentation by students of the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute.
Tournament Format
The 2026 edition features 108 teams competing across three categories:
- Junior Girls – Under-17
- Junior Boys – Under-17
- Sub-Junior Boys – Under-15
Each category is divided into eight groups. The group winners will progress to the knockout stage, eventually leading to the tournament finals.
The Subroto Cup remains an important grassroots football competition, helping young players develop their sporting skills, competitive spirit and confidence.
Key Facts
- Edition: 65th
- Started: 18 August 2026
- Venue: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi
- Teams: 108
- Categories: U-17 Girls, U-17 Boys, U-15 Boys
India to Host 5th Coast Guard Global Summit in 2027
India is scheduled to host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in New Delhi in February 2027. The summit will coincide with the Swarnim Jayanti of the Bharatiya Tatrakshak.
As part of preparations for the event, the Bharatiya Tatrakshak conducted a Working Level Meeting (WLM) in hybrid mode.
Focus of the Preparatory Meeting
The meeting discussed several organisational and institutional aspects of the upcoming summit, including:
- Updating the CGGS Meeting Guidelines
- Improving information-sharing mechanisms
- Developing and managing the CGGS website
- Strengthening professional cooperation
- Sharing operational experience and best practices
The meeting also considered an Activity Calendar for future collaborative engagements among participating maritime agencies.
Maritime Cooperation
The 5th CGGS is expected to provide a platform for maritime agencies to exchange experiences and develop stronger cooperation in areas related to maritime security and capability building.
The summit is also being viewed as an important manifestation of India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which emphasises a collaborative and inclusive maritime order.
Key Facts
- Event: 5th Coast Guard Global Summit
- Host: India
- Venue: New Delhi
- Month: February 2027
- Occasion: Swarnim Jayanti of Bharatiya Tatrakshak
- Focus: Maritime cooperation and capability building
China Achieves Major Reusable Rocket Milestone with Zhuque-3
China’s private space company Land Space has successfully demonstrated vertical recovery of the first-stage booster of its Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket.
The achievement marks an important development in China’s efforts to build reusable orbital launch systems.
Zhuque-3 Mission
The 66-metre Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwest China at 7:35 a.m. Beijing time.
The mission successfully placed the Honghu-3 commercial internet satellite into its designated orbit.
After separation, the first-stage booster performed a controlled landing in Minqin County, Gansu province, approximately 390 kilometres from the launch site.
The booster used landing legs to achieve a vertical recovery.
Rocket Technology
Zhuque-3 is a stainless-steel launch vehicle powered by liquid oxygen and methane.
According to the provided information, the rocket is designed to:
- Carry up to 14.2 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit
- Be reused up to 20 times
- Perform vertical booster recovery
Importance for China
Reusable rockets can potentially reduce the cost and turnaround time associated with space launches.
The 19 August 2026 recovery represented China’s second orbital booster recovery. The first was conducted on 10 July 2026 by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation using a Long March 10B booster recovered through a sea-based net-capture method.
Key Facts
- Company: Land Space
- Rocket: Zhuque-3 Y2
- Height: 66 metres
- Propellant: Liquid oxygen + methane
- LEO payload capacity: Up to 14.2 tonnes
- Recovery: Vertical landing
- Landing location: Minqin County, Gansu
DRDO Invites Private Companies to Develop Tactical Missiles and Guided Weapons
The Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad has invited eligible Indian private-sector companies to participate in the co-development and manufacturing of tactical missile systems and guided munitions.
The initiative represents an important step towards expanding India’s domestic defence-production ecosystem and increasing manufacturing capacity for advanced weapon systems.
Development-cum-Production Partner Model
The programme will operate through the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) framework and other strategic weapon-manufacturing programmes.
The model generally involves selecting at least two private industry partners for individual missile or guided-bomb projects.
This approach is intended to encourage competition, diversify production capacity and create a broader industrial base.
Areas of Focus
The initiative covers important weapon categories, including:
- Tactical surface-to-air missile systems
- Indigenous air-to-air missile systems
- ASTRA missile ecosystem
- Guided munitions
The ASTRA programme represents India’s effort to develop indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capability.
Eligibility Criteria
Private companies seeking participation must satisfy specified financial requirements.
According to the provided information, companies must have:
- Minimum annual turnover of ₹100 crore
- Minimum net worth of ₹34 crore
- Credit rating of BBB or above
The initiative reflects India’s broader effort to expand private-sector participation in defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Key Facts
- Organisation: DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat
- Location: Hyderabad
- Focus: Tactical missiles & guided munitions
- Model: Development-cum-Production Partner
- Minimum turnover: ₹100 crore
- Minimum net worth: ₹34 crore
- Credit rating: BBB or above
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Visits Armenia to Strengthen Defence Partnership
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh undertook a two-day visit to Armenia from 17–18 August 2026 to further strengthen defence and military-technical cooperation between India and Armenia.
During the visit, he held discussions with senior Armenian officials on defence cooperation, military training, capacity building, technology and research.
Key Discussions
Rajesh Kumar Singh met Deputy Defence Minister Karen Brutyan and First Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of General Staff Edward Asryan.
The discussions covered:
- Capacity building
- Military training
- Military-technical cooperation
- Defence research and development
- Institutional cooperation between the armed forces
The two countries also exchanged Terms of Reference for Joint Services Staff Talks, aimed at establishing a structured mechanism for interaction between their armed forces.
Defence R&D Cooperation
During his visit, the Defence Secretary met Davit Tradevosyan, Minister of Hi-Tech Industry of Armenia, to discuss proposals related to defence research and development.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the two Defence Ministries was also concluded and signed to expand cooperation in joint collaboration, innovation and research.
Military Education and Capacity Building
Rajesh Kumar Singh visited the Armenian Military Academy named after Vazgen Sargasyan and interacted with its leadership and faculty.
He also visited the academy’s IT Lab, which was established with Indian assistance. The visit highlighted the importance of training and capacity building in India’s defence cooperation with Armenia.
Strategic Partnership
The Defence Secretary also met Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan and Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan.
The discussions focused on expanding bilateral defence cooperation and identifying additional areas of military-technical collaboration.
The provided material notes that as Armenia seeks to diversify its defence procurement, India has emerged as an important partner in military-technical cooperation.
Key Facts
- Indian official: Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Position: Defence Secretary
- Country visited: Armenia
- Dates: 17–18 August 2026
- Focus: Defence cooperation, R&D, training and military-technical cooperation
- Important outcome: MoU on joint collaboration, innovation and research
- Military institution visited: Armenian Military Academy
Review Questions
- The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament commenced in which
city?
A) Mumbai
B) New Delhi
C) Kolkata
D) Bengaluru
Answer: B) New Delhi - India will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in which month of
2027?
A) January
B) February
C) March
D) April
Answer: B) February - Which private Chinese space company successfully landed the first-stage booster
of the Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket?
A) Space Pioneer
B) Galactic Energy
C) Land Space
D) iSpace
Answer: C) Land Space - DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat invited private Indian companies to co-develop
and manufacture:
A) Naval helicopters
B) Tactical missiles and guided munitions
C) Main battle tanks
D) Transport aircraft
Answer: B) Tactical missiles and guided munitions - What is the minimum annual turnover requirement mentioned for private firms
seeking participation in the DRDO missile development initiative?
A) ₹50 crore
B) ₹75 crore
C) ₹100 crore
D) ₹150 crore
Answer: C) ₹100 crore - Who visited Armenia from 17–18 August 2026 to strengthen India-Armenia
defence cooperation?
A) Rajnath Singh
B) Rajesh Kumar Singh
C) Sanjay Seth
D) General Dhiraj Seth
Answer: B) Rajesh Kumar Singh - NSG Stands For
A. Nuclear Suppliers Group
B. Nucleoid Suppliers Group
C. Non-Suppliers Group
D. Nuclear Supply Group
ANSWER: A - Motto Of CBI Is
A. Victory Everywhere
B. Always Alert
C. Industry, Impartiality, Integrity
D. None
ANSWER: C - First Made In India Passenger Aircraft Is___
A. Dornier 228
B. Chetak
C. Cheetah
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - The Cheetah Is A
A. Helicopter
B. Machine Gun
C. UAV
D. Fighter Jet
ANSWER: A - INS Sindhukesari Is A
A. Destroyer
B. OPV
C. Submarine
D. Tank
ANSWER: C - “Billions & Billions” Book Is Written By
A. Shashi Tharoor
B. Carl Sagan
C. Hew Strachan
D. APJ Abdul Kalam
ANSWER: B - WNC Hq Is In
A. Mumbai
B. Kochi
C. Chennai
D. Panaji
ANSWER: A - QRFV Stands For
A. Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle Medium
B. Quick Reaction Fighting Vast Medium
C. Quick Reaction Fight Vehicle Medium
D. None
ANSWER: A - Amnesty International Is In
A. Queenstown, Singapore
B. Brussels, Belgium
C. Rome, Italy
D. London, United Kingdom
ANSWER: D - Aeronautical Development Agency Is In
A. Bengaluru
B. Noida
C. New Delhi
D. Gurugram
ANSWER: A - Joint Exercises B/w The India And UAE Is Called:
A. Yama
B. SLINEX
C. Indra
D. Zayed Talwar
ANSWER: D - Indian Army Artillery School Devlali Comes Under
A. Northern Command
B. Eastern Command
C. Western Command
D. Southern Command
ANSWER: D - Strength’s Origin is in Science Is The Motto Of
A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. NASA
D. Indian Army
ANSWER: B - INS Airavat Is A
A. Destroyer
B. OPV
C. Submarine
D. Amphibious warfare
ANSWER: D
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