In Defence Current Affairs for 18 September 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 September 2026
Indian Defence Service of Engineers Marks 77th Raising Day
The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) observed its 77th Raising Day on September 17, 2026, with a day-long conference organised in New Delhi. IDSE officers serve under the Military Engineer Services (MES), which functions under the Ministry of Defence.
The conference was conducted around the theme “Ethics, Accountability and Excellence towards achieving the aim of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.”
During the event, Engineer-in-Chief, MES, Lt Gen Vikas Rohella highlighted measures being adopted to improve transparency, ethical conduct and accountability within the organisation. Among the initiatives discussed was the introduction of the Electronic Measurement Book (e-MB).
The Engineer-in-Chief stressed that public procurement processes and the exercise of official discretion should be guided by strong ethical standards.
Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE)
The IDSE is an organised Group ‘A’ Central Civil Service of the Government of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
The service brings together engineering professionals from disciplines such as civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. Officers enter the service through the Engineering Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The IDSE cadre has a strength of approximately 1,000 officers. Officers generally begin their careers as Assistant Executive Engineers in the Junior Time Scale and can progress to senior positions in the Government of India.
IDSE officers contribute to a wide range of areas, including:
- Infrastructure and project management
- Structural engineering
- Utility services and water supply
- Electrical infrastructure
- Contract management
- Financial and administrative management
- Airport, runway and hangar infrastructure
- Ports and dockyard projects
- Earthquake-resistant construction
- Industrial buildings
- Engineering projects in difficult and hilly terrain
- Arbitration and related engineering matters
Their responsibilities also extend beyond technical engineering to areas such as personnel management, administration and policy implementation.
Military Engineer Services (MES)
The Military Engineer Services (MES) is an inter-service engineering organisation under the Ministry of Defence. It provides engineering and infrastructure support primarily to the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, besides supporting other defence establishments.
MES undertakes the construction and maintenance of a wide variety of facilities, including:
- Residential and office buildings
- Operational infrastructure
- Roads and bridges
- Runways and airfield facilities
- Hangars
- Docks and harbours
- Other specialised military infrastructure
The organisation has a broad nationwide presence, with more than 600 stations covering mainland India as well as island territories. It provides engineering support to formations and establishments associated with the Armed Forces, DRDO and other Ministry of Defence organisations.
HAL to Hand Over LCA Tejas Trainers, HTT Aircraft and Dhruv NG Helicopters
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to hand over LCA Tejas trainer aircraft and HTT aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), along with Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited (PHL).
The development highlights the growing role of India’s domestic aerospace industry in designing and manufacturing aircraft for both military and civilian applications.
The handover is significant in the context of India’s efforts to increase indigenous defence production and self-reliance. Government policy has increasingly focused on developing domestic capabilities in aerospace and defence and strengthening the wider industrial ecosystem.
The platforms being handed over demonstrate the expanding capacity of Indian companies and their industry partners to develop sophisticated aerospace products within the country.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to reducing dependence on foreign sources for selected defence and aerospace requirements.
Key Point
HAL is India’s major state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer and plays a significant role in the development, production, maintenance and upgrade of aircraft and helicopters used by India’s Armed Forces.
PNS Hunain Damaged After Collision with INS Kolkata
Pakistan Navy’s PNS Hunain was reportedly damaged following a collision with the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata in the North Arabian Sea.
According to reports, the Pakistani vessel sustained substantial damage and was subsequently sent back to harbour for repairs. Indian sources stated that INS Kolkata did not suffer damage in the incident.
The two vessels differ considerably in size. PNS Hunain weighs approximately 2,600 tonnes, while INS Kolkata has a displacement of around 7,400 tonnes.
PNS Hunain
PNS Hunain belongs to the Yarmook-class patrol vessels of the Pakistan Navy. These ships are intended for maritime security, surveillance and limited combat missions.
The vessel was commissioned in 2014 and is approximately 98 metres long.
INS Kolkata
INS Kolkata is the lead ship of the Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. The class represents India’s capability to design and construct advanced warships domestically.
INS Kolkata is approximately 164 metres long and can attain a maximum speed of around 30 knots.
Its weapons and sensors include:
- BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles
- Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles
- Close-in weapon system
- Torpedo launchers
- Anti-submarine rocket systems
- Bow-mounted sonar
The ship therefore combines long-range strike, air-defence and anti-submarine capabilities.
Pakistan stated that the incident occurred during its SEASPARK-26 naval exercise and attributed the collision to what it described as close and aggressive manoeuvring by the Indian vessel. This is the Pakistani side’s stated account of the incident.
US Approves Possible $24.3 Billion F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia
The United States Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) involving 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and associated equipment for Saudi Arabia.
The proposed package has an estimated value of approximately US$24.3 billion.
The package would include 48 F-35 aircraft with conventional take-off and landing capability. It also covers 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, consisting of engines for the aircraft and an additional spare engine.
Other elements of the proposed deal include:
- Secure communications equipment
- Precision navigation systems
- Cryptographic equipment
- Electronic warfare database support
- Aircraft and weapons support equipment
- Spare parts
- Training equipment
- Flight simulators
- Software
- Technical documentation
- Logistics support
According to the US State Department, the proposed sale is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to address security threats and improve interoperability with US forces and other regional and NATO partners.
The proposed acquisition would also represent a major development in Saudi Arabia’s effort to enhance its advanced combat-aircraft capabilities.
About F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II is a family of fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft developed by the United States and its international partners. The aircraft incorporates stealth characteristics, advanced sensors, networking and precision-strike capabilities.
Indian Navy’s Proposal for Badangi Airstrip Land Advances
The Indian Navy has moved forward with a proposal to acquire approximately 1,700 acres of land around the Badangi Airstrip in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.
Located near Bobbili, the site is being considered for several defence-related purposes, including the development of a naval armament depot, training facilities and an alternate airbase.
The proposed facility would provide additional capacity to the Navy and supplement the existing Naval Armament Depot at Visakhapatnam, where storage requirements have increased.
Historical Background
The Badangi airstrip has roots in the Second World War. It was developed by the Royal Air Force during the British period and was once an important military facility.
Historical infrastructure at the site included underground bunkers and an armament storage facility.
Following the end of the Second World War, the airstrip was abandoned around 1946, and much of the facility remained unused for decades.
Why Badangi is Important
The revival of the site has been considered for more than a decade, but the proposal has gained renewed attention because of the increasing infrastructure and storage requirements of the Indian Navy.
A facility at Badangi could provide:
- Additional storage capacity for naval armaments
- A dedicated training area
- An alternate airfield for emergency situations
- Greater operational resilience
- Additional infrastructure depth near the Eastern Naval Command
The location is strategically relevant because it is situated relatively close to Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command.
The proposed development is therefore linked not only to infrastructure expansion but also to maintaining operational flexibility and resilience for India’s maritime security requirements.
Key Facts for Defence Exams
Badangi Airstrip: Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh
Nearby city: Visakhapatnam
Proposed land requirement: Approximately 1,700 acres
Proposed facilities: Naval armament depot, training facility and alternate airbase
Historical origin: Developed during World War II
Major nearby naval command: Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
Review Questions
- The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) celebrated its which Raising Day in
2026?
A. 75th
B. 76th
C. 77th
D. 78th
Answer: C. 77th - What was the theme of the 77th IDSE Raising Day conference?
A. Technology and Innovation for Defence
B. Ethics, Accountability and Excellence towards achieving the aim of Viksit Bharat @
2047
C. Self-Reliance in Defence Production
D. Engineering Excellence for National Security
Answer: B. Ethics, Accountability and Excellence towards achieving the aim of Viksit
Bharat @ 2047 - IDSE officers enter the service primarily through which examination?
A. UPSC Civil Services Examination
B. UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination
C. UPSC Engineering Services Examination
D. SSC Engineering Examination
Answer: C. UPSC Engineering Services Examination - The Military Engineer Services (MES) primarily provides engineering support to
which of the following?
A. Army, Navy and Air Force
B. Army and Coast Guard only
C. Navy and Coast Guard only
D. Air Force and BSF only
Answer: A. Army, Navy and Air Force - Which company is associated with the handover of LCA Tejas trainers, HTT aircraft
and Dhruv NG helicopters?
A. BEL
B. HAL
C. DRDO
D. BDL
Answer: B. HAL - INS Kolkata belongs to which class of Indian Navy warships?
A. Delhi-class
B. Visakhapatnam-class
C. Kolkata-class
D. Shivalik-class
Answer: C. Kolkata-class - PNS Hunain belongs to which class of patrol vessels?
A. Yarmook-class
B. Hangor-class
C. Babur-class
D. Tariq-class
Answer: A. Yarmook-class - The United States approved a possible sale of how many F-35 fighter aircraft to
Saudi Arabia?
A. 24
B. 36
C. 48
D. 60
Answer: C. 48 - The proposed F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia has an estimated value of approximately:
A. US$12.5 billion
B. US$18.6 billion
C. US$24.3 billion
D. US$30.8 billion
Answer: C. US$24.3 billion - Badangi Airstrip, being considered for Indian Navy infrastructure development, is
located in which state?
A. Odisha
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Karnataka
Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh - Range of Shaurya Missile Is
A. 700 to 1,900 km
B. 500 – 15,00 km
C. 1,500 – 2,000 km
D. 2,500 – 3,200 km
ANSWER: A - Rashtriya Rifles Motto Is
A. Courage and Valor
B. Always Brave
C. Service Before Self
D. Lethal
ANSWER: A - War Cry of ASSAM REGIMENT
A. Parakramo Vijayate
B. Rhino Charge
C. Jai Bajrangbali
D. Duty, Honour, courage
ANSWER: B - Amogha Is A
A. Anti-tank guided missile
B. Surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile
C. Quick reaction surface to air missile
D. Multiple rocket launcher
ANSWER: A - Department of Military Affairs Headed By
A. CDS
B. NSA
C. COAS
D. Defence Minister
ANSWER: A - Cairo Is The Capital Of
A. Egypt
B. El Salvador
C. UAE
D. Eritrea
ANSWER: A - “Ignited Minds” Book Is Written By
A. Bimal Jalal
B. Vinit Karnik
C. Hew Strachan
D. Dr APJ Kalam
ANSWER: D - Controller General of Defence Accounts Heads The
A. MoD Accounts
B. Make In India Accounts
C. Parliament Accounts
D. Defence Accounts Department
ANSWER: D - Army Sports Institute Is In
A. Pune
B. Noida
C. Jaipur
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A - SITMEX Ex Is Done Among
A. India, Singapore, and Thailand
B. India, Sri Lanka and Thailand
C. Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand
D. None of the above
ANSWER: A
ALSO READ:
- Latest Daily Current Affairs and Defence Updates
- Latest Daily Current Affairs August 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs July 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs June 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs May 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs April 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs March 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs February 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs January 2026[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs November 2025[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs October 2025[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs August 2025[DOWNLOAD PDF]
- Latest Daily Current Affairs July 2025[DOWNLOAD PDF]
