Defence Current Affairs 13 February 2026

In Current Affairs for 13 February 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial...

Divyanshu Pandey
February 13, 2026
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In Current Affairs for 13 February 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 13 February 2026

Here is your plagiarism-free, well-structured article covering all updates:

India’s defence preparedness has received a major push with a series of key decisions taken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). From indigenous aircraft production to multinational naval leadership and enhanced fighter capabilities, these developments underline India’s focus on modernisation and self-reliance.

MoD Signs ₹2,312 Crore Contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

The Ministry of Defence has entered into a ₹2,312 crore agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. The contract falls under the Buy (Indian) category, promoting domestic manufacturing.

The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

About the Dornier 228

The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. Originally designed by Dornier GmbH in Germany, production later expanded to India after HAL acquired manufacturing rights in 1983.

Key Specifications:

Engine: Honeywell TPE331
Range: 1,111 km
Cruise Speed: 315 km/h
Top Speed: 433 km/h
Wingspan: 17 metres
Weight: 3,739 kg

The project is expected to generate employment across HAL’s production network and MSME ecosystem. It will also create long-term opportunities in maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and lifecycle support services.

DAC Approves 114 Rafale Fighter Jets & Strategic Systems

In a major expansion of air power, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for multiple defence proposals worth approximately ₹3.6 lakh crore.

Rafale Expansion Plan

India will procure 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme:

18 jets in fly-away condition
Remaining aircraft to be manufactured in India
Around 90 jets expected to be built domestically under the Make in India initiative

This acquisition will increase India’s Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft, including the 36 already operational with the Indian Air Force and 26 Rafale-M jets ordered for naval carrier operations.

The move comes at a time when the Indian Air Force operates around 30 squadrons, significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.

Additional Approvals

For the Indian Air Force:

Combat missiles for enhanced deep-strike precision
Air-Ships-Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) for surveillance, telecommunications, and intelligence operations

For the Indian Army:

Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav) to counter mechanised threats
Overhaul of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks, and BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles to extend operational life and readiness

Indian Navy Takes Command of Combined Task Force 154

The Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) under the Combined Maritime Forces.

CTF 154 focuses on training and capacity building among the 47 member nations of the Combined Maritime Forces. The change-of-command ceremony was held in Manama, Bahrain, and was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw.

CTF 154 works alongside other task forces:

CTF 150 – Maritime Security
CTF 151 – Counter-Piracy
CTF 152 – Arabian Gulf Security
CTF 153 – Red Sea Security

India’s leadership in this task force highlights its growing role as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

IAF to Train Pilots of the Royal Air Force

In a historic first, the Indian Air Force will train pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom. The decision was finalised during the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi.

Under the new framework:

Three Qualified Flight Instructors (QFIs) from the IAF will be deployed to RAF Valley in the UK.
Earlier this year, an IAF officer was posted as an instructor at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.

This marks a new level of defence cooperation between the two nations.

DAC Clears Six Additional Boeing P-8I Aircraft

The Defence Acquisition Council has also approved the purchase of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy.

The P-8I, derived from the Boeing 737 platform, is a long-range multi-mission aircraft used for:

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW)
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)

These new aircraft will join the Navy’s existing fleet of 12 P-8Is, known as “Neptune,” which have logged over 40,000 accident-free flight hours.

The deal, estimated at $3–4 billion, is expected to significantly strengthen India’s maritime domain awareness and underwater combat capabilities.

Conclusion

The recent defence decisions reflect India’s clear strategic priorities: strengthening indigenous manufacturing, enhancing air and naval capabilities, and expanding international defence cooperation. From domestic production of Dornier aircraft to expanding the Rafale fleet and assuming multinational naval leadership, these steps collectively reinforce India’s position as a rising defence power.

Review Questions

Here are 15 MCQs with answers based on the defence updates:

1. The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with which company for Dornier aircraft?

A) Boeing
B) Dassault Aviation
C) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
D) DRDO

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: The contract for eight Dornier 228 aircraft was signed with HAL under the Buy (Indian) category.

2. The eight Dornier 228 aircraft are being procured for which force?

A) Indian Navy
B) Indian Air Force
C) Border Security Force
D) Indian Coast Guard

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: The aircraft will strengthen maritime surveillance capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard.

3. The Dornier 228 aircraft is primarily a:

A) Jet-powered bomber
B) Helicopter
C) Twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft
D) Supersonic fighter

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with Short Take-Off and Landing capability.

4. Who chairs the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)?

A) Prime Minister
B) National Security Advisor
C) Chief of Defence Staff
D) Rajnath Singh

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: The Defence Minister chairs the Defence Acquisition Council.

5. The DAC approved procurement of how many additional Rafale aircraft?

A) 36
B) 72
C) 90
D) 114

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: Approval was granted for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).

6. The Rafale fighter aircraft is manufactured by which country?

A) USA
B) Russia
C) France
D) UK

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Rafale is a French multi-role fighter aircraft.

7. After the new deal, India’s total Rafale fleet will increase to:

A) 140
B) 150
C) 160
D) 176

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: The fleet will include 36 IAF Rafales, 26 naval Rafale-M, and 114 newly approved jets.

8. The Indian Navy assumed command of which task force under Combined Maritime Forces?

A) CTF 150
B) CTF 151
C) CTF 152
D) CTF 154

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: CTF 154 focuses on training and capacity-building among member nations.

9. CTF 154 functions under which multinational maritime partnership?

A) NATO
B) QUAD
C) ASEAN
D) Combined Maritime Forces

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: CTF 154 operates under the Combined Maritime Forces framework.

10. The change-of-command ceremony for CTF 154 was held in:

A) Doha
B) Abu Dhabi
C) Manama, Bahrain
D) Muscat

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: The ceremony took place at CMF headquarters in Manama.

11. The Indian Air Force will train pilots of which country’s air force?

A) USA
B) Australia
C) France
D) Royal Air Force

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: Under a new initiative, IAF instructors will train RAF pilots in the UK.

12. The Boeing P-8I aircraft is mainly used for:

A) Passenger transport
B) Air ambulance services
C) Maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare
D) Training cadets

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: The P-8I performs ASW, ASuW, and ISR roles.

13. The Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement of how many additional P-8I aircraft?

A) 4
B) 8
C) 6
D) 12

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Six additional P-8I aircraft were cleared to enhance maritime capabilities.

14. The Anti-Tank Mines approved for the Indian Army are named:

A) Agni
B) BrahMos
C) Astra
D) Vibhav

✅ Answer: D
Explanation: Vibhav mines are intended to delay enemy mechanised forces.

15. The MRFA programme stands for:

A) Medium Range Fighter Aircraft
B) Multi-Role Fleet Aircraft
C) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft
D) Military Recon Fighter Aircraft

✅ Answer: C
Explanation: MRFA refers to the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement programme.

DCA 13 Febuary 2026 Download

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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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