In Defence Current Affairs for 05 October 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 05 October 2026
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish Conclude Participation in AIME 2026
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish have completed their participation in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026, conducted in the Philippines under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.”
The exercise provided the participating navies with opportunities for professional engagement, operational coordination and maritime training through both the Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.
Following the opening ceremony, the Harbour Phase featured a variety of activities, including Key Leaders’ Engagements, sporting events, Yoga sessions, community interaction programmes and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. These activities promoted greater professional understanding and cooperation among participating maritime forces.
During the Sea Phase, INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish took part in several coordinated maritime activities. These included Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) and Underway Replenishment drills.
The participation of the two Indian naval ships highlighted the Indian Navy’s continued commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with partner countries. It also reflects India’s Act East Policy and the broader vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Indian Navy to Commission INS Samarthak and INS Mangrol
The Indian Navy is set to commission two new vessels, INS Samarthak and INS Mangrol, strengthening indigenous weapons testing capabilities and enhancing anti-submarine warfare operations in waters close to India’s coastline.
The induction of these vessels comes amid increasing underwater military activity in the Indian Ocean region. The development also takes place against the backdrop of Pakistan expanding its submarine capabilities through the planned acquisition of eight Chinese-origin Hangor-class submarines.
Pakistan has also conducted an anti-ship cruise missile firing from PNS Hangor, highlighting the continuing importance of submarines in its sea-denial strategy.
INS Samarthak, constructed by Larsen & Toubro, is the Indian Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel and the lead ship of a two-vessel class. Rather than serving primarily as a conventional frontline combatant, the vessel has been designed as a dedicated trials and evaluation platform.
The ship will enable the Navy to test and evaluate indigenous weapons, sensors and anti-submarine warfare systems without requiring frontline warships to be withdrawn from their operational duties for testing purposes.
Meanwhile, INS Mangrol is the third vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft series being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Once commissioned, INS Mangrol will become the seventh vessel from the planned fleet of 16 shallow-water anti-submarine warfare platforms to enter service. Its induction will strengthen the Navy’s capability to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow-water environments.
Lockheed Martin Signals Major Manufacturing Expansion in India
US aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin has indicated that it is prepared to substantially expand its manufacturing presence in India if its proposal is selected under the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft acquisition programme.
The programme is valued at approximately ₹87,150 crore and involves the procurement of 60 medium transport aircraft. A formal tender for the requirement was issued in August.
Five Indian companies are participating in the competition and are expected to collaborate with international aircraft manufacturers. These include Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Reliance Defence.
Lockheed Martin is participating in the programme in partnership with TASL, building on their existing industrial cooperation. The partnership already involves the production of components and empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules in India.
According to Lockheed Martin, the existing collaboration has established a substantial Indian manufacturing base for C-130J components and assemblies. The company intends to expand this industrial capability by adding further production activities within the country if its proposal is selected.
The approach could eventually enable the Indian Air Force to operate a common fleet of 72 C-130J aircraft, potentially simplifying areas such as training, maintenance and logistics while providing greater operational flexibility.
The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, which have collectively accumulated more than 58,000 flying hours. These aircraft have been extensively employed in challenging operational environments.
IAF Chief Rules Out Separate Drone Force
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has ruled out establishing a separate drone force within the Indian Air Force, stating that unmanned systems need to remain integrated with the service’s broader combat structure.
Speaking ahead of Air Force Day, the IAF Chief described the increasing use of drones as an evolutionary development rather than a revolutionary transformation in air power. According to him, the Air Force has been employing unmanned capabilities for decades, although their numbers and roles are now expanding.
The IAF is increasing the number of drones and loitering munitions in its inventory while also widening the range of unmanned systems available for operational deployment.
However, these capabilities will continue to function within the existing force structure rather than being placed under an independent drone arm.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh emphasised that drones and loitering munitions must operate in coordination with manned aircraft, conventional weapons and other combat capabilities to achieve the desired operational effect.
He cautioned that separating unmanned systems from the wider weapons ecosystem could weaken coordinated operations. Different categories of weapons and platforms need to complement one another rather than being employed in isolation.
The IAF’s approach therefore focuses on integrated operations, bringing together drones, loitering munitions and manned platforms within a common operational framework.
The position reflects the IAF’s view that unmanned systems will become an increasingly important element of air power, while still remaining part of the broader combat structure rather than forming a separate command or force.
Akash Air Defence System Reaches Turkmenistan
India’s indigenous Akash air defence missile system has been exported to Turkmenistan, expanding the international presence of the Indian-made surface-to-air missile system.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that India has exported Akash to both Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, following Armenia, which became the system’s first foreign customer.
According to Singh, Armenia acquired multiple Akash batteries, after which exports were extended to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. He described Akash as one of India’s notable defence-export success stories and highlighted the system’s capability to engage high-velocity aerial threats.
The Turkmenistan deployment adds an Indian air-defence system to the country’s increasingly diverse inventory. Turkmenistan also operates Chinese-made air-defence systems, including the short-range FK-2000. Other systems such as the FD-2000, KS-1A and FM-90 have also been displayed as part of the country’s air-defence formations.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile system designed to protect vulnerable areas and important points against aerial threats.
The system is mounted on mobile platforms and can function either as part of a group or in autonomous mode. It incorporates electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) to improve its ability to operate in environments affected by electronic jamming.
According to Bharat Dynamics Limited, Akash has an operational range of approximately 4.5 km to 25 km and can engage targets at altitudes between 100 metres and 20 km. The missile is around 5.87 metres long, weighs approximately 710 kg and uses command guidance.
Its target set includes helicopters, fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously and is designed for automatic operation, mobility and rapid deployment.
The Akash export to Turkmenistan comes as the country continues to diversify its air-defence inventory. During an Independence Day military parade in Ashgabat on September 27, eight Chinese-made FK-2000 vehicles were publicly displayed in the country for the first time.
Review Questions
- Which two Indian Naval Ships participated in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise
(AIME) 2026?
A) INS Trishul and INS Kolkata
B) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
C) INS Chennai and INS Shivalik
D) INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya
Answer: B) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish - What was the theme of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026?
A) Together for Maritime Security
B) United for Peace at Sea
C) Anchored in Trust, United at Sea
D) Secure Seas, Strong Nations
Answer: C) Anchored in Trust, United at Sea - INS Samarthak, built by Larsen & Toubro, is the Indian Navy’s first:
A) Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette
B) Multi-Purpose Vessel
C) Guided Missile Destroyer
D) Offshore Patrol Vessel
Answer: B) Multi-Purpose Vessel - INS Mangrol belongs to which class of vessels?
A) Mahe-class
B) Shivalik-class
C) Nilgiri-class
D) Kamorta-class
Answer: A) Mahe-class - Which Indian company is partnering with Lockheed Martin for the C-130J
manufacturing activities in India?
A) HAL
B) Mahindra Group
C) Tata Advanced Systems Limited
D) Reliance Defence
Answer: C) Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) - Who ruled out the creation of a separate drone force for the Indian Air Force?
A) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari
B) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh
C) General Upendra Dwivedi
D) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Answer: B) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh - Which country became the latest reported recipient of India’s indigenous Akash
air defence system?
A) Vietnam
B) Armenia
C) Turkmenistan
D) Indonesia
Answer: C) Turkmenistan - The Akash air defence system has been developed by which organisation?
A) Bharat Electronics Limited
B) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
C) Defence Research and Development Organisation
D) Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: C) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - Which Country Is Not The Member Of QUAD?
A. USA
B. India
C. Japan
D. Russia
ANSWER: D - Dhanush (howitzer) Manufactured By
A. L & T
B. Boeing
C. ISRO
D. Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited
ANSWER: D - Where Is The Hq Of The Eastern Command of The IAF?
A. Kochi
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Shillong
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: C - PVSM Stands For
A. Param Vishisht Seva Medal
B. Param Vishisht Sainik Medal
C. Param Vishishthtm Seva Medal
D. None
ANSWER: A - Canberra Is The Capital Of
A. Armenia
B. Qatar
C. UAE
D. Australia
ANSWER: D - “Broken Wing” Book Is Written By
A. Sarojini Naidu
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Maithili Sharan Gupt
D. APJ Abdul Kalam
ANSWER: A - Israeli ‘Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) Is A
A. Ballistic Missile
B. ATGM
C. Helicopter
D. Tank
ANSWER: B - Chairman Of NITI Aayog Is
A. Rajiv Kumar
B. Rakesh Asthana
C. R Hari Kumar
D. Narendra Modi
ANSWER: D - Blaser R93 Tactical Is Rifle Of
A. Oman
B. Qatar
C. Sri Lanka
D. Germany
ANSWER: D - Leclerc Is A
A. Tank
B. Missile
C. Gun
D. Rocket
ANSWER: A - Sena Medal Award Is Given To The Soldiers Of
A. Indian Army
B. IAF
C. Indian Navy
D. ICG
ANSWER: A - In The 2026 Global Firepower Military Strength Rankings, Which Position Did
Russia Claim?
A. Fifth
B. Second
C. Fourth
D. Sixth
ANSWER: B
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