In Defence Current Affairs for DCA 18 March 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 March 2025
BARC To Build Powerful 190 MW Submarine Nuclear Reactor
- The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is advancing India’s nuclear submarine capabilities by developing a new 190-MW submarine nuclear reactor.
- This reactor is designed to power both the P-77 nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) and the S-5 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), marking a significant upgrade from the 83-MW reactors used in India’s first-generation Arihant-class submarines.
- The 190-MW reactor is a scaled-up version of the earlier design, with variants tailored for different operational needs: one for the endurance-focused SSBNs and another for the dynamic power demands of SSNs.
- While the initial batch of S-5 SSBNs will utilise the 190-MW reactor, there are indications that future variants might require even more powerful reactors, potentially exceeding 200 MW.
Centre Has Accorded Approval For Chandrayaan-5 Mission
- The Indian government has recently approved the ambitious Chandrayaan-5 mission, as announced by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. This mission is part of India’s ongoing lunar exploration program, which has seen significant milestones with previous Chandrayaan missions.
- Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, successfully mapped the Moon’s surface chemically, mineralogically, and photo-geologically.
- Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, was 98% successful, although it faced a setback when its lander crashed. However, the orbiter continued to send valuable images of the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3, launched in 2023, achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.
- The Chandrayaan-5 mission will feature a substantial upgrade with a 250 kg rover, significantly heavier than the 25 kg rover used in Chandrayaan-3. This advanced rover will conduct detailed studies of the Moon’s surface and composition.
- Beyond these lunar missions, ISRO is also working on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and plans to establish India’s own space station, the Bharatiya Space Station.
India And New Zealand Ink Defence Pact
- India and New Zealand have signed a significant defence pact aimed at strengthening their bilateral defence and security ties. This agreement was finalized following discussions between Indian PM Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon.
- The pact marks a significant step forward in the strategic partnership between the two nations, building on their existing friendly relations. India and New Zealand have been enhancing their defence cooperation through various exchanges and visits, including recent naval interactions.
- This defence pact is expected to further institutionalize these efforts, fostering deeper collaboration in areas such as maritime security and defence technology.
- The signing of this defence pact also aligns with broader diplomatic efforts between India and New Zealand, including the announcement of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Raksha Mantri meets US Director of National Intelligence
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a productive meeting with the Director of National Intelligence of the United States Ms Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on March 17, 2025.
- Drawing from the Joint Statement issued after the recent meeting of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with US President Mr Donald Trump, the discussions reaffirmed the growing strength of the India-US bilateral defence partnership.
- Both leaders emphasised that strategic security remains a vital pillar of the comprehensive global strategic cooperation between the two nations.
- Rajnath Singh and Ms Tulsi Gabbard reviewed the significant strides made in the areas of military exercises, strategic cooperation, integration of defence industrial supply chains and information-sharing cooperation, especially in the maritime domain, between India and US.
- The two leaders explored avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defence innovation and niche technologies, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing mutual strategic interests.
- Additionally, they addressed key areas such as enhancing interoperability and fostering greater integration of defence industrial supply chains to bolster resilience and innovation.
9th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks
- The ninth edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17, 2025.
- Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises & exchanges. It included several first-time milestones, finalisation of key agreements and participation in each other’s major defence trade expositions.
- The meeting reviewed defence outcomes of second Ministerial Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2 consultations at Secretary-level in October 2024 and the second Annual Leaders’ Summit in November 2024.
- The two sides agreed on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in Australia in 2025.
126 Women Cadets Joined NDA since 2022, Only 5 Quit
- A total of 126 women cadets have joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) after the government opened the doors of the premier training academy at Khadakwasla for them three years ago, minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth told Rajya Sabha.
- At 35, Haryana accounts for the maximum number of women who joined NDA, followed by Uttar Pradesh (28) and Rajasthan (13). Adequate facilities are being provided to women cadets at NDA on a par with their male counterparts, and several measures are undertaken pan-India to encourage women to join the army, Seth said.
- In August 2021, the Supreme Court directed the government to allow women to take the next entrance exam for the NDA and the first batch was inducted the following year.
Multiple Choice Questions of DCA
- Which state accounts for the maximum number of women who joined the
NDA?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Rajasthan
C. Haryana
D. Maharashtra
ANSWER: C - Where was the ninth edition of the India-Australia Defence Policy Talks held?
A. Sydney
B. Canberra
C. New Delhi
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: C - When is the next India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue scheduled to be
held?
A. 2024
B. 2025
C. 2026
D. 2027
ANSWER: B - Which Chandrayaan mission achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s
south pole?
A. Chandrayaan-1
B. Chandrayaan-2
C. Chandrayaan-3
D. Chandrayaan-5
ANSWER: C - What is the power capacity of the new submarine nuclear reactor being
developed by BARC?
A. 83 MW
B. 150 MW
C. 190 MW
D. 210 MW
ANSWER: C - Marine Engineering Training Establishment of the Indian Navy located at
A. Noida
B. Kochi
C. Pune
D. Wayanad
ANSWER: C - RIMPAC Stands For
A. Rim of the Pacific Exercise
B. Rim of the Perfect Exercise
C. Rim of the Pacific Economy
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Which Helicopter Can Fire ATGM Helina?
A. INS Hansa
B. INS Parundu
C. Chetak
D. Dhruv
ANSWER: D - INS Ranjit Is A
A. Destroyer
B. OPV
C. Submarine
D. Tank
ANSWER: A - Which Country Is Not The Member Of G-7?
A. Germany
B. France
C. Russia
D. USA
ANSWER: A - Berlin Is The Capital Of
A. France
B. Qatar
C. Germany
D. Maldives
ANSWER: C - “Not Just A Nightwatchman: My Innings in the BCCI” Book Written By
A. Shashi Tharoor
B. Sitaram Yechuri
C. Vinod Rai
D. Anurag Thakur
ANSWER: C - Where Is The Hq Of The Southern Western Command of The Indian Army?
A. Jaipur
B. Jabalpur
C. Pune
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A - Sea Dragon Exercise Hosted By
A. USA
B. Sweden
C. France
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - India Purchased C 130 J from
A. USA
B. Sweden
C. France
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Ex KHANJAR Conducted B/W India &
A. Qatar
B. Oman
C. Kazakhstan
D. Kyrgyzstan
ANSWER: D - OPEC Hq Is In
A. Vienna
B. New York
C. Chennai
D. Abu Dhabi
ANSWER: A - Gangtok Is The Capital Of
A. Sikkim
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Telangana
D. Tripura
ANSWER: A - What Is The Full Form Of JCB?
A. Joseph Cyril Bamford
B. Joseph Cyrus Bamford
C. Joseph Cyril Bofors
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A - Lt Gen. Rank Of Indian Army Is Equivalent To Which Rank Of IAF?
A. Vice Admiral
B. Air Commodore
C. Commodore
D. Air Marshal
ANSWER: D
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