In Defence Current Affairs for DCA 18 February 2025, 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 Daily Defence Current Affairs.
Defence Current Affairs 18 February 2025
European Leaders Warn Against Ukraine Ceasefire
- A group of European leaders agreed at a meeting in Paris on Monday they were ready to give Ukraine security guarantees, but it would be dangerous to conclude a ceasefire without a peace agreement at the same time, a European Union official said.
- “We are ready to provide security guarantees, with modalities to be examined with each party, depending on the level of American support,” said the official, summarising the results of the Paris meeting.
- The meeting was called by French President Emmanuel Macron after US President Donald Trump arranged bilateral peace talks with Russia, excluding European allies and Ukraine from negotiations that are due to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
DRDO Develops New Pinaka Rocket Variant
- DRDO of India is currently developing a new high-calibre Pinaka rocket with a range of 120 km. An official from DRDO informed Janes at Aero India 2025 in Bangalore that the development of this new Pinaka rocket variant began in 2024 and is already in an advanced stage, with the first test expected in October 2025.
- The new longer-range rocket variant will be launched from the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), and a new pod will be fitted to the Pinaka MBRL to launch it.
- DRDO is also working on additional Pinaka variants, including one with a range of 120 km, and another with a range of over 200 km.
- The IAF is also considering adopting modified Pinaka systems as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive options like the Pralay missile, including both surface-to-surface and air-to-surface capabilities for Su-30 aircraft.
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India Needs $1.6 Billion In Defence Exports
- India needs $1.6 billion in defence exports within a year to meet its 2025 goal of $5 billion (₹35,000 crore at the time), according to a report from February 2025.
- As of March 2024, the country had achieved over ₹21,000 crore in defence exports. At current exchange rates, the $5 billion target would translate to over ₹43,000 crore.
- Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020: This policy was introduced to propel India’s defence exports to ₹35,000 crore ($5 billion at the time) by 2025.
- Indian systems like the Akash and BrahMos missiles are reportedly cheaper than Western and Russian alternatives, often by as much as 30% to 40%. India has transitioned from being one of the world’s largest arms importers to a growing arms exporter.
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Flying Wedge Defence And Aerospace Secures International Export Order
- Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Secures International Order for 35 Autonomous Aircraft: Bangalore-based start-up Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace has successfully secured an export order for 35 FWD 100 ISR autonomous aircraft from a sub-Saharan nation.
- The FWD 100 ISR is a sub-variant of the FWD 200B model, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
- It features advanced optical payloads for precise surveillance and has a wingspan of 6 meters, a length of 3.8 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 90 kg. The aircraft boasts a remarkable operational endurance of up to 24 hours.
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Martin-Baker To Build, Maintain Ejection Seats
- Martin-Baker, a manufacturer of ejection seats and crashworthy seats, is expanding its presence in India with a new facility set to open in Bengaluru in 2025.
- The facility will focus on maintaining and manufacturing ejection seats for the Indian Air Force and will also address export opportunities. Steve Roberts, Head of Business Development at Martin-Baker, discussed the new facility at the Aero India air show in Bangalore.
- Martin-Baker is currently delivering 108 IN16G ejection seats for 83 Hindustan Aeronautics TEJAS MK-1A fighters, with about 40% of the seats already delivered and final deliveries expected by 2028. This follows a previous delivery of 51 seats for the TEJAS MK-1.
- Their MK16 US16E seat, used in the F-35 aircraft, is the only one that meets the Neck Injury Criteria (NIC) standards for ejections. Martin-Baker also introduced the “zero-zero” ejection concept, which allows pilots to safely eject at ground level without any forward motion.
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France Offers 5th Gen Fighter Engine Tech To India
- France has offered India technology for its fifth-generation fighter engine, furthering the strategic defence relationship between the two countries. Safran, a French jet-engine maker, has been a key collaborator with India, providing engines for Indian military helicopters and Rafale fighter jets.
- France has agreed to collaborate with India on advanced materials and metallurgy, which are critical for manufacturing key components in military and civilian engines.
- Safran intends to establish a Defence Electronics manufacturing facility in India for producing sensors and other vital electronic components for military platforms.
- Safran is offering a new 110kN thrust engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This engine will be developed in collaboration with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE).
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Multiple Choice Questions of DCA
- What is the expected range of the new high-calibre Pinaka rocket being
developed by DRDO?
A. 80 km
B. 100 km
C. 120 km
D. 150 km
ANSWER: C - When is the first test of the new Pinaka rocket variant expected to take place?
A. October 2024
B. October 2025
C. January 2025
D. December 2026
ANSWER: B - How much does India need in defence exports within a year to achieve its
2025 target of $5 billion?
A. $1.2 billion
B. $1.6 billion
C. $2 billion
D. $2.5 billion
ANSWER: B - Which Indian start-up secured an international order for 35 autonomous
aircraft?
A. HAL
B. Bharat Electronics
C. Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace
D. DRDO
ANSWER: C - Where is Martin-Baker setting up its new facility in India?
A. Hyderabad
B. Bengaluru
C. Chennai
D. Pune
ANSWER: B - Which country has offered India technology for its fifth-generation fighter
engine?
A. United States
B. Russia
C. France
D. Israel
ANSWER: C - Defence Industrial Corridors Was Inaugurated In
A. 2018
B. 2021
C. 2022
D. 2016
ANSWER: A - The Karakorams Range covers parts of
A. Afghanistan, China, Indonesia
B. Afghanistan, China, India
C. Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C - Army War College Is In
A. Mhow
B. New Delhi
C. Noida
D. Nagpur
ANSWER: A - Sarvatra Vijay Is The Motto Of
A. RAJPUT REGIMENT
B. DOGRA REGIMENT
C. SIKH REGIMENT
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Where Is The Training Command of The IAF?
A. Bengaluru
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Pune
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A - Exercise Cope India Conducted b/w
A. USA
B. Russia
C. Israel
D. Japan
ANSWER: A - “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 - The Cheetah Is A
A. Helicopter
B. Machine Gun
C. UAV
D. Fighter Jet
ANSWER: A - Which of the following is NOT a landlocked country?
A. Laos
B. Serbia
C. Ethiopia
D. Cambodia
ANSWER: D - “THE ROOM ON THE ROOF ” Book Written By
A. Ruskin Bond
B. Satyajit Ray
C. Manohar Malgonkar
D. Nirad C. Chaudhuri
ANSWER: A - Exercise Lamitiye Conducted b/w India &
A. Qatar
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Seychelles
ANSWER: D - Rashtriya Raksha University Is In
A. Gandhinagar
B. Mumbai
C. New Delhi
D. Chennai
ANSWER: A - HSTDV Stands For
A. Hypersonic Technology Vehicle
B. Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle
C. Hypersonic Technology Detonator Vehicle
D. None of the above
ANSWER: B - Joint Ex B/w The India And Singapore Is Called:
A. Bold Kurukshetra
B. SLINEX
C. Indra
D. Yudha Abhyas
ANSWER: A
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