In Defence Current Affairs for 18 June 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 18 June 2026
US Restores the Name Pacific Command
The United States has officially renamed the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command as the U.S. Pacific Command, bringing back the designation that had been used for more than seventy years. The command was originally established on January 1, 1947, by President Harry S. Truman and remained known as the Pacific Command until 2018.
In May 2018, the command was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command under then Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to reflect the growing strategic importance of the Indian and Pacific Oceans as a single geopolitical region. The latest decision restores the historical title without changing the command’s responsibilities, operational structure, personnel strength, or geographic area of responsibility.
Headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii, the Pacific Command remains the oldest and largest unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces. Its jurisdiction stretches from the western coast of the United States to the western boundary of India, making it one of the most strategically significant military commands in the world.
India and Thailand Strengthen Defence Cooperation
The 10th Thailand–India Defence Dialogue was held in Bangkok on June 16, 2026, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to deepen defence and security cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich, Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence, and Shri Satyajit Mohanty, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defence.
Both sides reviewed ongoing military engagements, training exchanges, maritime cooperation initiatives, and capacity-building programmes. Discussions also focused on the changing security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region and ways to enhance regional peace and stability.
India and Thailand exchanged views on cooperation through regional and multilateral defence platforms, including ASEAN-led mechanisms. The dialogue concluded with an agreement to expand practical collaboration and address common security challenges through regular consultations. The meeting gained additional significance as both countries had elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2025.
India’s Defence Production Reaches Historic High
India’s defence manufacturing sector achieved a major milestone in FY 2025-26, recording its highest-ever annual production value of ₹1.78 lakh crore. This marks a growth of 15.6 percent compared to the previous fiscal year’s output of ₹1.54 lakh crore.
The achievement highlights the rapid expansion of indigenous defence manufacturing. Defence production has more than doubled since FY 2020-21 and nearly quadrupled compared to FY 2013-14. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other public sector entities contributed about 76 percent of total production, while the private sector accounted for 24 percent.
Private sector participation reached a record level of approximately ₹42,000 crore, reflecting the growing role of private companies in India’s defence ecosystem. Increased domestic production has also contributed significantly to defence exports, which touched a record ₹38,424 crore during FY 2025-26.
Indian Air Force to Participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will take part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, scheduled from July 20 to August 7, 2026, in Australia’s Northern Territory. Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Pitch Black is Australia’s largest multinational air combat exercise and is conducted every two years.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability among participating air forces through realistic combat scenarios and advanced tactical training. More than 100 aircraft and military personnel from 19 partner and allied nations are expected to participate.
The exercise will operate from RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley. It provides participating nations with an opportunity to improve operational coordination, strengthen military partnerships, and exchange expertise in complex air warfare environments.
India’s participation reflects its growing defence engagement with regional partners and its commitment to maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Bharat Forge Introduces Simha 4×4 Armoured Vehicle
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the defence arm of Bharat Forge Limited, unveiled the Simha 4×4 Light Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle on June 16, 2026. The vehicle was showcased at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, one of the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions.
The Simha 4×4 has been designed from the ground up as a completely new platform to meet the requirements of armed forces in India, Africa, South Asia, and other international markets. Its modular architecture allows for future upgrades, customization, and mission-specific modifications.
Designed for both urban and rugged terrain operations, the vehicle can be deployed in reconnaissance missions, border security, internal security duties, troop transportation, command-and-control operations, and special missions. The platform incorporates NATO-qualified components and has been engineered to facilitate rapid production in partner countries.
The introduction of the Simha 4×4 reflects India’s growing capability to design and manufacture advanced defence platforms for both domestic and global markets.
Review Questions
- The United States restored which name for its military command in June 2026?
(A) Central Command
(B) Strategic Command
(C) Pacific Command
(D) Northern Command
Answer: (C) Pacific Command - The 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue was held in which city?
(A) New Delhi
(B) Chiang Mai
(C) Phuket
(D) Bangkok
Answer: (D) Bangkok - What was India’s total defence production in FY 2025-26?
(A) ₹1.25 lakh crore
(B) ₹1.54 lakh crore
(C) ₹1.78 lakh crore
(D) ₹2.00 lakh crore
Answer: (C) ₹1.78 lakh crore - Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is hosted by which country’s air force?
(A) India
(B) Australia
(C) United States
(D) United Kingdom
Answer: (B) Australia - The Simha 4×4 Light Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle was unveiled by which
company?
(A) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(B) Larsen & Toubro
(C) Bharat Electronics Limited
(D) Bharat Forge Limited
Answer: (D) Bharat Forge Limited - India and Thailand elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic
Partnership in which year?
(A) 2023
(B) 2024
(C) 2025
(D) 2026
Answer: (C) 2025 - Motto of NSG Is
A. शं नो वरुणः
B. नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्
C. सववत्र सवोत्तम सुरक्षा
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C - In Which Operation NSG Didn’t Take Part?
A. Operation Talwar
B. Black Thunder
C. Ashwamedh
D. Vajra Shakti
ANSWER: A - SAG & SRG Stands For
A. Special Act Group & Special Ranger Group
B. Special Action Group & Special Roger Group
C. Special Action Game & Special Ranger Group
D. Special Action Group & Special Ranger Group
ANSWER: D - The Highest Rank Structure In NSG Is
A. Director General
B. Inspector General
C. Deputy Inspector General
D. Group Commander
ANSWER: A - INS Tarangini Is A
A. Helicopter
B. Sailing Ship
C. UAV
D. None of the above
ANSWER: B - FGM-148 Javelin Is Made By
A. Boeing
B. Lockheed Martin
C. Raytheon
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C - Ex PRABAL DOSTYK Conducted B/W India And
A. France
B. China
C. Kazakhstan
D. Kyrgyzstan
ANSWER: C - Q.M.HAV Stands For
A. Quarter Havildar
B. Quartermaster Havildar
C. Quartermaster Hawadar
D. None of the above
ANSWER: B - Santiago Is The Capital Of
A. Oman
B. Colombia
C. UAE
D. Chile
ANSWER: D - “Vahana Masterclass” Book Is Written By
A. Alfredo Covelli
B. Sitaram Yechuri
C. Hew Strachan
D. R. Kaushik
ANSWER: A - “Balidanam Vir Lakshanam” Is The Motto Of
A. JKLI
B. THE MAHAR REGIMENT
C. THE BIHAR REGIMENT
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Prithvi III Is A
A. Air to Air Missile
B. Surface to Air Missile
C. Surface to Surface Missile
D. Air to Sea Missile
ANSWER: C - Shishumar Is a
A. Air to Air missile
B. Sniper Rifle
C. Anti-tank Guided missile
D. Submarine
ANSWER: D - Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) Centre Is Located In
A. Hyderabad, Telangana
B. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
C. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
D. Tezpur, Assam
ANSWER: A
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