In Defence Current Affairs for 02 September 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 02 September 2026
AVM Shakti Sharma Becomes First Non-Medical Woman Two-Star Officer
A significant milestone was achieved in the Indian Air Force with Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma becoming the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in the Indian Armed Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal, equivalent to a two-star rank.
On 1 September 2026, she took charge as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.
AVM Shakti Sharma was commissioned into the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force on 18 June 1994. Over more than three decades of service, she has served at various training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
She has also contributed to strengthening academic and defence cooperation by helping establish IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.
Another notable achievement in her career was becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. She served as the Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Her elevation represents an important step forward for women in the Indian Armed Forces and demonstrates the increasing opportunities for women officers to take up senior leadership responsibilities.
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Takes Charge as DGAFMS
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja assumed office as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on 1 September 2026.
The DGAFMS is responsible for overseeing comprehensive medical support for India’s Armed Forces. The appointment comes at a time when military healthcare is undergoing considerable transformation.
Key areas receiving attention include:
- Operational medical preparedness
- Modernisation of military healthcare
- Jointness among the Armed Forces
- Digital health initiatives
- Medical research and innovation
- Human-resource development
- Healthcare services for serving personnel, veterans and their dependants
An alumnus of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Air Marshal Thareja was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1986. He is a specialist physician and gastroenterologist, having completed his MD in Medicine and DM in Gastroenterology from leading medical institutions.
Raksha Mantri Reviews Performance of 16 DPSUs
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted the annual performance review of India’s 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in New Delhi on 1 September 2026.
The review focused on several important areas, including:
- Increasing indigenous defence production
- Developing advanced defence technologies
- Expanding defence exports
- Strengthening domestic supply chains
- Improving manufacturing capabilities
- Timely execution of major defence projects
According to the figures highlighted during the review, India’s defence production reached approximately ₹1.80 lakh crore in FY 2025–26, with DPSUs contributing around ₹1.29 lakh crore.
The achievement was presented as an important indicator of India’s progress towards building a stronger and more self-reliant defence industrial ecosystem under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
₹3,951 Crore Dividend Presented
During the event, the CMDs of seven major DPSUs—HAL, MDL, BEL, BDL, GRSE, BEML and MIDHANI—presented dividend cheques totalling approximately ₹3,951 crore to the Defence Minister for the government’s equity holdings for FY 2025–26.
Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb Takes Over as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance
Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force on 1 September 2026.
After taking charge, he paid tribute to personnel who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Air Marshal Sanjeeb was commissioned into the IAF on 3 September 1988 in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch.
His professional experience includes working with important aircraft platforms such as:
- IL-76
- Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)
- Boeing 737-200
For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2015 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2026.
Air Marshal Vivek Hande Assumes Charge as DGMS (Air)
Another important appointment took place in the medical branch of the Indian Air Force. Air Marshal Vivek Hande, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Medical Services (Air) on 1 September 2026.
He has been placed on permanent secondment to the Indian Air Force.
An alumnus of AFMC Pune, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Hande was commissioned in December 1988.
A renowned gastroenterologist, he has held several specialist and administrative positions during his distinguished military medical career.
India Explores Russia’s S-500 and Su-57
India and Russia are also discussing possibilities for expanding defence cooperation, with the S-500 air and missile defence system and Su-57 stealth fighter reportedly emerging as important areas of interest.
The discussions come against the backdrop of India’s long-standing military relationship with Russia and the operational experience associated with the S-400 air-defence system.
India has ordered five S-400 systems under a contract worth approximately $5.43 billion, with four systems reported to be operational.
S-400 vs S-500
The two Russian systems are designed for different levels of air and missile defence.
The S-400 is primarily designed for theatre-level air defence and has an advertised engagement range of up to around 400 km depending on the missile used.
The S-500 Prometheus, meanwhile, is intended as a higher-tier system with a greater emphasis on countering advanced threats, including ballistic missiles and certain hypersonic targets.
The reported specifications of the S-500 include an interception range of around 600 km and an engagement altitude extending into the near-space region.
India and Russia have also discussed other areas of defence cooperation, including logistics arrangements and possible upgrades to India’s Su-30MKI fighter fleet.
Indian Army Begins Overhaul of Arjun Mk-1 Tanks
The Indian Army has initiated the first comprehensive overhaul of its Arjun Mk-1 main battle tanks, marking an important step towards extending the operational life and improving the capabilities of the existing fleet.
Two tanks are undergoing the initial overhaul at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi. The pilot project includes 26 planned upgrades that are expected to establish procedures for the refurbishment of the Army’s remaining 124 Arjun Mk-1 tanks.
The overhaul will cover both the hull and turret of the tanks. Several improvements have been drawn from technologies and features associated with the newer Arjun Mk-1A configuration.
Major Upgrades
Among the important upgrades planned are:
- Commander’s panoramic sight
- Mk-II gunner’s sight
- Automatic target tracker
- Improved muzzle reference system
- Upgraded tracks
- Enhanced running gear system
The Arjun Mk-1 entered service with the Indian Army from 2004. Its major overhaul was originally expected much earlier, but the programme experienced delays.
A previous audit had also highlighted concerns relating to repair infrastructure and availability of spare parts.
Arjun Mk-1A Programme
The Army ordered 118 Arjun Mk-1A tanks from Heavy Vehicles Factory in 2021 under a contract valued at approximately ₹7,523 crore.
The Mk-1A incorporates several improvements over the original Arjun Mk-1, including:
- Non-explosive reactive armour
- Automatic target tracking
- Improved commander’s panoramic sight
- Integration of the SAMHO gun-launched anti-tank guided missile
- Enhanced protection and operational capabilities
The ongoing Mk-1 overhaul and Mk-1A programme reflect India’s efforts to improve indigenous armoured warfare capabilities while addressing the requirements of its existing tank fleet.
Review Questions
- Who became the first woman officer from the non-medical stream of the Indian
Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal?
A. Air Marshal Vivek Hande
B. AVM Shakti Sharma
C. Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb
D. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja
Answer: B. AVM Shakti Sharma - AVM Shakti Sharma assumed charge as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in which
field?
A. Operations
B. Intelligence
C. Education
D. Maintenance
Answer: C. Education - Who assumed charge as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services
(DGAFMS)?
A. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja
B. Air Marshal Vivek Hande
C. AVM Shakti Sharma
D. Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb
Answer: A. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja - How much was India’s defence production approximately in FY 2025–26?
A. ₹1.20 lakh crore
B. ₹1.50 lakh crore
C. ₹1.80 lakh crore
D. ₹2.25 lakh crore
Answer: C. ₹1.80 lakh crore - Which Russian air-defence system is being discussed as a higher-tier system
against ballistic and hypersonic threats?
A. S-300
B. S-350
C. S-400
D. S-500
Answer: D. S-500 - Where has the Indian Army begun the pilot overhaul of its Arjun Mk-1 tanks?
A. Vehicle Factory Jabalpur
B. Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi
C. Mahindra Defence, Pune
D. Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad
Answer: B. Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi - How many Arjun Mk-1A tanks did the Indian Army order under the 2021 contract?
A. 100
B. 118
C. 124
D. 150
Answer: B. 118 - Quad Was Founded On
A. 2017
B. 2018
C. 2019
D. 2020
ANSWER: A - Where Is The Hq Of The Training Command of The IAF?
A. Kochi
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Bengaluru
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: C - Air Marshal Rank of IAF Is Equivalent to which rank of the Indian Navy?
A. Commodore
B. Captain
C. Commander
D. Vice Admiral
ANSWER: D
11.‘Ex Zapad’ Conducted B/W India &
A. Qatar
B. Russia
C. UAE
D. Maldives
ANSWER: B
12.IBSAMAR Trilateral Naval Exercise Held Between India, Brazil And___?
A. North Korea
B. Switzerland
C. Singapore
D. South Africa
ANSWER: D
13.The Port Duqm Is In
A. Yemen
B. Iran
C. Iraq
D. Oman
ANSWER: D
14.Madrid Is The Capital Of
A. Spain
B. Sri Lanka
C. UAE
D. Maldives
ANSWER: A
15.“Fit At Any Age” Book Is Written By
A. Ajay Bhatt
B. Sitaram Yechuri
C. Vikram Sampath
D. Retd. Air Marshal PV Iyer
ANSWER: D
16.Lamitye Exercise Held B/W India And___?
A. Thailand
B. USA
C. Qatar
D. Seychelles
ANSWER: D
17.Which Of The Following Is Not Main Organ Of United Nations?
A. International Court of Justice
B. Economic and Social Council
C. Secretariat
D. International Monetary fund
ANSWER: D
18.“Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai” Is The War Cry Of
A. GARHWAL RIFLES
B. MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENT
C. THE GRENADIERS
D. PUNJAB REGIMENT
ANSWER: A
19.NAMICA Stands For
A. Nag Missile Cart
B. Nag Missile Carrier
C. Nag Missile Corn
D. None
ANSWER: B - Akash Is A Medium-range Mobile Surface-to-air Missile System Developed By
The___
A. HAL
B. TATA
C. Mahindra
D. DRDO
ANSWER: D
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