Defence Current Affairs 13 January 2026

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

In Current Affairs for 13 January 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 January 2026

DRDO Successfully Tests New Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the flight test of an upgraded man-portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. The test was carried out against a moving target, demonstrating the missile’s advanced operational capability.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the third-generation “fire-and-forget” MPATGM is equipped with a top-attack mode, enabling it to strike modern main battle tanks at their most vulnerable points. The missile is designed for flexibility, as it can be launched either from a tripod or from a vehicle-mounted launcher.

The successful trial marks an important milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous anti-armour warfare capabilities and enhancing the combat effectiveness of the armed forces.

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Indian Sailing Vessel ‘Kaundinya’ Enters Omani Waters

The Indian Navy’s heritage sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, has reached Omani waters during its maiden international voyage, nearly two weeks after departing from Porbandar in Gujarat. The ship is unique as it has no engine and has been constructed using an ancient stitching technique that dates back over 2,000 years.

Economist and member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, Sanjeev Sanyal, who is part of the crew, confirmed that the vessel was sailing north of Sur within Oman’s maritime zone. The voyage, which began on December 29, 2025, follows historic maritime trade routes linking India with the Arabian Peninsula.

The name Kaundinya holds deep historical and cultural significance. It is associated with Ajnata Kaundinya, the first disciple of Lord Buddha to attain enlightenment, and Kaundinya I (Preah Thong), a legendary Indian mariner linked to the founding of the ancient Funan kingdom in Southeast Asia. The name also refers to a revered Hindu sage, a gotra, a wildlife sanctuary, and India’s maritime heritage ship.

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PSLV-C62 Mission Faces Setback During EOS-N1 Launch

The PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, failed to place the EOS-N1 satellite into its intended orbit due to a technical anomaly detected during the final phase of the PS3 stage. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated a detailed analysis to identify the exact cause of the malfunction.

The launch vehicle lifted off at 10:18 a.m. IST after a 22.5-hour countdown, carrying EOS-N1 along with 15 co-passenger satellites developed by start-ups, academic institutions, and international collaborators. PSLV, a four-stage rocket with a combination of solid and liquid propulsion stages, depends on precise stage separation and timing for mission success.

EOS-N1, developed under the commercial framework of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), was intended to support India’s strategic earth-observation and surveillance requirements, highlighting the significance of the mission despite the setback.

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PM Modi Holds High-Level Talks With German Chancellor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, marking a key moment in India-Germany bilateral relations. The meeting took place at Mahatma Mandir during Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India.

The leaders reviewed cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, investment, technology, education, skill development, and workforce mobility. They also explored new opportunities in defence, security, scientific research, innovation, and sustainable development.

Defence collaboration featured prominently in the talks, aligning with India’s focus on self-reliance and diversification of global supply chains. Strategic dialogues also addressed shared concerns related to regional security, counter-terrorism, and supply chain resilience. As partners in the Indo-Pacific framework, both nations reiterated their commitment to a rules-based international order.

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Russia Launches Heaviest Missile Assault Of The Year On Ukraine

Russian forces carried out the most concentrated missile assault of the year on Ukraine’s two largest cities early Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials and media reports. The attacks resulted in the death of four people in Kharkiv, a major city located near the Russian border.

Kyiv’s military administration chief, Tymur Tkachenko, stated that the capital experienced a brief but intense missile strike. Journalists reported hearing multiple explosions, though immediate details on damage or casualties in Kyiv were not available.

Monitoring groups on Telegram claimed that nearly 20 ballistic missiles were launched within an hour, describing it as the most sustained Russian strike so far this year. These reports could not be independently verified. Ukrainian armed forces did not issue an immediate statement, and Russia also refrained from commenting.

Since the invasion began in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, particularly focusing on energy infrastructure, leaving large sections of the population without electricity and heating during winter months.

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Review Questions

  1. The recently tested Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)
    developed by DRDO is best described as:
    A. A first-generation wire-guided missile
    B. A third-generation “fire-and-forget” missile with top-attack capability
    C. A long-range surface-to-air missile
    D. A cruise missile for naval warfare
    ANSWER: B
  2. The Indian Navy’s sailing vessel Kaundinya is unique because it:
    A. Uses nuclear propulsion
    B. Is India’s first steel-hulled warship
    C. Has no engine and is built using an ancient stitching technique
    D. Is the fastest naval ship in the Indian Ocean
    ANSWER: C
  3. The EOS-N1 satellite, which failed to reach its intended orbit, was launched
    aboard which mission?
    A. Gaganyaan-1
    B. LVM3-X
    C. PSLV-C62
    D. SSLV-D2
    ANSWER: C
  4. PM Modi held delegation-level talks in Gandhinagar with the leader of which
    country?
    A. France
    B. Japan
    C. Germany
    D. Australia
    ANSWER: C
  5. Russia’s most intense missile attack of the year reportedly targeted which two
    major Ukrainian cities?
    A. Odesa and Lviv
    B. Kyiv and Kharkiv
    C. Kherson and Mariupol
    D. Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia
    ANSWER: B
  6. Which organization collaborated with the Indian Navy to successfully test the
    Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM)?
    A. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
    B. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
    C. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    D. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
    ANSWER: B
  7. Consider the following statements with reference to ‘Nuclear Suppliers Group
    (NSG)’ 1. It was established in the wake of a nuclear test conducted by India in 1974. 2. This group is an organization of nuclear states that aims to proliferate the spread of nuclear weapons.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    A. 1 only
    B. 2 only
    C. Both 1 and 2
    D. Neither 1 nor 2
    ANSWER: A
  8. Which of the following are the components of Indian Foreign exchange
    reserves? A. Foreign Currency Assets, B. Gold Reserves, C. Special Drawing Rights, D. Reserve Position in the International Monetary Fund, E. External Commercial Borrowings
    Select the correct answer by using the codes given below:
    A. 1, 2 and 3 only
    B. 2 and 3 only
    C. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
    D. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
    ANSWER: C
  9. ‘Operation Sankalp’, is associated with which armed force?
    A. Indian Navy
    B. Indian Air Force
    C. Indian Army
    D. Indian Coast Guard
    ANSWER: A
  10. ‘INS Nirdeshak’ Vessel has been launched by which company?
    A. BHEL
    B. BEML
    C. NHPC
    D. GRSE
    ANSWER: D
  11. What are ‘Surat’ and ‘Udaygiri’?
    A. Fighter Jets
    B. Space Launch Vehicles
    C. Warships
    D. Missiles
    ANSWER: C
  12. Which Of The Following Missiles Is Air To Air Missile?
    A. Astra missile
    B. Maitri missile
    C. Nag
    D. Nirbhay
    ANSWER: A
  13. Southwestern Air Command of IAF Is In
    A. Mumbai
    B. Kochi
    C. Gandhinagar
    D. Panaji
    ANSWER: C
  14. MSME Stands For
    A. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
    B. Micro, Small and Medium Enter
    C. Micro, Small and Media Enterprises
    D. None of the above
    ANSWER: A
  15. M61 Vulcan Is A
    A. Six- barrelled Gatling gun
    B. Heavy machine gun
    C. Pistol
    D. Rocket
    ANSWER: A
  16. INSAT-2A Is a
    A. Air to Air missile
    B. Sniper Rifle
    C. Multipurpose communication & meteorology
    D. Communication satellite
    ANSWER: C
  17. Joint Exercises B/w The India And Singapore Is Called:
    A. Yama
    B. SLINEX
    C. Indra
    D. SIMBEX
    ANSWER: D
  18. The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye Is A/AN
    A. Sniper Rifle
    B. Missile
    C. Airborne Early Warning Plane
    D. Bomber
    ANSWER: C
  19. Hanoi Is The Capital Of
    A. Vietnam
    B. Venezuela
    C. Yemen
    D. Maldives
    ANSWER: A
  20. “By God’s Decree” Book Is Written By
    A. Kapil Dev
    B. Mahatma Gandhi
    C. Rabindranath Tagore
    D. Mulk Raj Anand
    ANSWER: A

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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.