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Defence Current Affairs 12 May 2026

In Defence Current Affairs for 12 May 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be...

In Defence Current Affairs for 12 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 12 May 2026

National Technology Day 2026

Every year on May 11, India celebrates National Technology Day to honour the country’s achievements in science and technology. Earlier, the occasion was mostly limited to government programs and scientific discussions, but in 2026 technology has become deeply connected with the daily lives of citizens and the future direction of the nation.

Today, technology influences almost every sector including education, employment, defence, healthcare, banking, digital payments, artificial intelligence, startups and economic development. India’s ambition to become a global technological power has made innovation and self-reliance more important than ever before.

Why is National Technology Day Celebrated?

National Technology Day commemorates the successful conduct of Operation Shakti, also known as the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, on 11 May 1998 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These nuclear tests established India as a nuclear-capable nation and demonstrated the country’s scientific strength to the world.

The same day also witnessed other major technological achievements. India successfully tested the Hansa-3 aircraft and conducted the trial of the Trishul missile system, making May 11 a landmark date in India’s scientific history.

Theme of National Technology Day 2026

The theme for National Technology Day 2026 is “Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth.” The theme highlights the need for ethical use of artificial intelligence, development of indigenous technologies and reducing the digital divide between urban and rural India.

The government aims to ensure that technological progress benefits every section of society rather than remaining limited to a few industries or cities. Special attention is being given to affordable digital access, local manufacturing and innovation-driven employment generation.

Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles Strengthen Coastal Security

India’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing received another boost with the Girder Laying Ceremony of the 4th, 5th and 6th Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) for the Indian Coast Guard in Goa on May 11, 2026.

These ACVs are being built under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative with nearly 50 percent indigenous content. The project reflects India’s growing capability in advanced maritime engineering and defence production.

The contract for six indigenous ACVs was signed with Chowgule & Company Private Limited in October 2024.

Importance of Air Cushion Vehicles

Air Cushion Vehicles, commonly known as hovercrafts, can operate efficiently in shallow waters, marshy regions and coastal areas where ordinary vessels face difficulty. These advanced platforms will help the Indian Coast Guard in:

  • High-speed coastal patrolling
  • Reconnaissance operations
  • Search and rescue missions
  • Interception and anti-smuggling operations
  • Assistance to ships and boats in distress

The deployment of these vehicles will significantly improve India’s maritime security and operational flexibility along its extensive coastline.

India Reviews Energy Security Amid West Asia Tensions

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the 5th meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia in New Delhi on May 11, 2026. The meeting focused on assessing the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on India’s economy and energy security.

Officials informed the meeting that India currently has:

  • 60 days of crude oil reserves
  • 60 days of natural gas stock
  • 45 days of LPG reserves

India’s foreign exchange reserves also remain strong at around 703 billion US dollars. As the world’s third-largest oil refiner and fourth-largest exporter of petroleum products, India continues to meet domestic fuel demand despite global instability.

However, rising international crude oil prices are creating financial pressure. Oil marketing companies are reportedly absorbing losses close to Rs 1,000 crore per day to protect consumers from sharp price increases.

The meeting emphasized the need to expand strategic petroleum reserves and strengthen long-term energy security planning to reduce vulnerability during global supply disruptions.

Indian Army Receives Indigenous Kamikaze Drones

India has taken another major step in modern warfare technology with the induction of two indigenous combat systems under Emergency Procurement.

These include:

  • UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM)
  • AGNIKAA VTOL-1 FPV Kamikaze Drone

The systems were handed over to the Indian Army after successful trials in high-altitude and electronic warfare conditions.

ULPGM: India’s Indigenous Loitering Munition

The ULPGM has been jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Ad Defence & Aerospace. It is capable of targeting both stationary and moving targets with high precision.

Key features include:

  • Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker
  • Launch capability from UAV platforms
  • Operational UAV range of 20 kilometres
  • Strike range of 2.5 kilometres

AGNIKAA VTOL-1 FPV Drone

The AGNIKAA VTOL-1 is India’s first FPV kamikaze drone in its category. It has been specially designed for urban warfare and precision strikes in difficult operational environments.

The drone can function effectively even in GPS-denied and electronic warfare situations.

Main Features

  • Range of up to 5 kilometres
  • Endurance of 30 minutes
  • Top speed of 60 kmph
  • Suitable for urban and open battlefield operations

The induction of these systems reflects India’s rapid progress in indigenous drone technology and modern defence manufacturing.

IIT-Hyderabad Launches Major Metal Powder Facility

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad has launched a major initiative to establish India’s largest indigenous clean metal and alloy powder manufacturing facility for additive manufacturing and aerospace applications.

The project is supported by:

  • Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory
  • Innomet Advanced Materials Ltd.
  • Defence Technology Development Fund

Importance of the Facility

The new facility will use advanced gas atomisation technology to produce high-purity metal powders with extremely low oxygen content. Such materials are essential for aerospace and defence industries where components must withstand extreme temperatures and stress.

The project is expected to strengthen India’s additive manufacturing ecosystem, reduce dependence on imported materials and support the country’s growing aerospace sector.

Review Questions

  1. National Technology Day is celebrated in India on:
    A. 15 August
    B. 26 January
    C. 11 May
    D. 28 February

Answer: C. 11 May

2. Consider the following statements regarding National Technology Day 2026:
The theme for 2026 is “Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth.”
The theme focuses on ethical AI and indigenous technology.
National Technology Day was first observed after the Pokhran-I test.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    A. 1 and 2 only
    B. 2 and 3 only
    C. 1 only
    D. 1, 2 and 3

    Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

    3. Which of the following achievements also took place on 11 May 1998 along with Operation Shakti?
    Testing of Hansa-3 aircraft
    Firing of Trishul missile
    Launch of PSLV-C1
    Select the correct answer using the code below:

      A. 1 and 2 only
      B. 2 and 3 only
      C. 1 only
      D. 1, 2 and 3

      Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

      1. The Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) are primarily meant for:
        A. Space exploration
        B. Railway transportation
        C. Coastal patrolling and rescue operations
        D. Agricultural activities
        ANSWER: C
      2. The ULPGM system inducted into the Indian Army was jointly developed by
        DRDO and:
        A. HAL
        B. BEL
        C. Ad Defence & Aerospace
        D. ISRO
        ANSWER: C
      3. IIT-Hyderabad’s new indigenous metal powder facility will mainly support:
        A. Textile production
        B. Aerospace and additive manufacturing
        C. Food processing industries
        D. Tourism sector
        ANSWER: B
      4. Defence Space Agency Hq Is Located At
        A. New Delhi
        B. Bengaluru
        C. Chennai
        D. Noida
        ANSWER: B
      5. INS Kochi Is A
        A. Guided-missile destroyers
        B. Landing ship tank
        C. Submarine
        D. Frigates
        ANSWER: A
      6. _ Is Not A G7 member.
        A. China
        B. USA
        C. UK
        D. France
        ANSWER: A
      7. The Standard Meridian Of India Is
        A. 82 degrees 30’ E
        B. 84 degrees 30’ E
        C. 72 degrees 30’ E
        D. 92 degrees 30’ E
        ANSWER: A
      8. Army Medical Corps Motto Is
        A. Courage and Valor
        B. Sarve santu niramaya
        C. Service Before Self
        D. Lethal
        ANSWER: B
      9. Glock 18 Is A
        A. Destroyer
        B. Machine Pistol
        C. Assault rifle
        D. Submachine gun
        ANSWER: B
      10. Which Is the Largest Uranium-producing Country In The World?
        A. USA
        B. India
        C. Kazakhstan
        D. Uzbekistan
        ANSWER: C
      11. Kaiga Atomic Power Plant Is In
        A. Karnataka
        B. Gujarat
        C. Madhya Pradesh
        D. Uttarakhand
        ANSWER: A
      12. Who established the Atomic Energy Commission of India in 1948?
        A. P.K. Iyengar
        B. M.R. Srinivasan
        C. Vikram Sarabhai
        D. Homi Bhabha
        ANSWER: D
      13. Nay Pyi Taw Is The Capital Of
        A. Bhutan
        B. Nepal
        C. Afghanistan
        D. Myanmar
        ANSWER: D
      14. “India’s Women Unsung Heroes” Book Is Written By
        A. Chandrachur Ghose
        B. Ruskin Bond
        C. Dr. Thomas Matthew
        D. Meenakshi Lekhi
        ANSWER: D
      15. Ex ‘Konkan Shakti’ conducted b/w India &
        A. Qatar
        B. UK
        C. UAE
        D. Japan
        ANSWER: B
      16. “Kartavyam Anvatma” (Duty before death) Is The Motto Of
        A. RAJPUT REGIMENT
        B. DOGRA REGIMENT
        C. SIKH REGIMENT
        D. None of the above
        ANSWER: B
      17. Which Country Isn’t the member of NSG?
        A. USA
        B. China
        C. Pakistan
        D. France
        ANSWER: C
      DCA 12 May 2026Download

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      Divyanshu Pandey

      Senior Lecturer General Studies, SSBCrackExams, Cleared CDS 4 times, NDA 2 times, Ex- N.C.C. cadet, SSB Expert. Passionate Teacher, Trained defence aspirants for their SSB Interview, BSc in PCM expertise in Geography, Indian Polity, Current Affairs and Defence affairs. Writing Article and Travelling solo.

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