In Defence Current Affairs for 22 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 22 September 2026
Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026
The 18th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant, the joint military exercise between India and Mongolia, commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The annual exercise is conducted alternately in India and Mongolia and is held at the platoon level.
The 2026 edition is being conducted from 21 September to 3 October 2026. The previous edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May–June 2025.
Participation and Objective
The Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each in the current edition.
The primary objective of Nomadic Elephant 2026 is to strengthen the ability of both forces to conduct Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
Training activities will concentrate on tactical-level operations and practical military drills. The two sides will exchange operational experience and best practices while refining their procedures and improving interoperability.
Significance
The exercise provides an important platform for Indian and Mongolian troops to train together and develop a better understanding of each other’s operational methods.
Nomadic Elephant 2026 is expected to contribute to enhanced defence cooperation, interoperability and mutual trust between India and Mongolia while further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Key Facts for AFCAT
- Exercise: Nomadic Elephant 2026
- Edition: 18th
- Countries: India and Mongolia
- Venue: Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
- Dates: 21 September–3 October 2026
- Personnel: 45 from each side
- Focus: Counter-Insurgency Operations
- Terrain: Semi-urban and mountainous
- Previous edition: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May–June 2025
MoD Signs ₹586 Crore Contract for Auxiliary Power Units
The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹586 crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited for the procurement of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the Indian Army’s T-72 and T-90 tanks.
The procurement is aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities and sustainability of India’s armoured formations.
Role of Auxiliary Power Units
An Auxiliary Power Unit serves as an alternative source of electrical power for various critical systems of a tank. These include the fire control system, firing circuit, gun stabilisation system and other auxiliary systems.
The induction of indigenously developed APUs is expected to improve the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Indian Army’s mechanised formations.
Boost to Indigenisation
The procurement is also significant from the perspective of defence indigenisation. It represents an effort to develop and introduce indigenous critical sub-systems for armoured platforms.
The project demonstrates the role of industry-led research and development under the Make-II framework in converting indigenous technological innovation into actual production and induction.
Key Facts for AFCAT
- Ministry: Ministry of Defence
- Contract value: ₹586 crore
- Company: Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited
- Equipment: Auxiliary Power Units
- Platforms: T-72 and T-90 tanks
- Purpose: Electrical power for critical tank systems
- Focus: Indigenisation and operational readiness
- R&D framework: Make-II
ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Centre Under Project NETRA
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the establishment of an Advanced Radar Research Centre at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam, under its Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) programme.
The development marks Assam’s entry into India’s strategic space-surveillance network and is aimed at strengthening the country’s capability to monitor objects in orbit.
Strengthening Space Situational Awareness
The proposed facility will help track satellites, rocket bodies and orbital debris. Such monitoring is important for assessing potential collision risks and supporting safer space operations.
The centre will cover approximately 67 acres, with the Assam government allocating around 200 bighas of land for the project.
Project NETRA
Project NETRA is described as ISRO’s flagship programme for Space Situational Awareness (SSA). It integrates radar systems and optical telescope facilities to monitor objects and activities in Earth’s orbital environment.
The project is intended to improve India’s ability to understand orbital traffic, identify potential risks and protect important space assets.
Major Industrial Investment in Assam
Alongside the radar-centre development, the material highlights Adani Power Limited’s ₹48,000 crore ultra-supercritical thermal power project in Dhubri as a major development for Assam’s industrial and energy sectors.
The project is expected to generate approximately 25,000 jobs during construction and around 5,000 permanent jobs after becoming operational.
Key Facts for AFCAT
- Organisation: ISRO
- Project: NETRA
- Full form: Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis
- Centre: Advanced Radar Research Centre
- Location: Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam
- Area: Approximately 67 acres
- Purpose: Space Situational Awareness
- Tracks: Satellites, rocket bodies and orbital debris
- Thermal power project: ₹48,000 crore
- Permanent jobs expected: Approximately 5,000
Australia Launches Campaign for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat 2029–30
Australia has formally launched its diplomatic campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2029–30 term.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have highlighted issues including climate action, artificial intelligence regulation and the role of middle powers as central elements of the campaign.
Election Process
The election for the 2029–30 term is scheduled for June 2028. A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority of the UN General Assembly to be elected.
Australia’s previous term on the Security Council ended in 2014. The new campaign therefore represents its effort to return to the Council after a period away from the body.
Australia’s Campaign Priorities
Australia’s campaign is built around three broad pillars.
1. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Safety
Australia plans to support stronger international approaches towards the regulation of artificial intelligence and digital safety. The campaign refers to domestic measures concerning social-media age limits and ethical safeguards for AI deployment.
2. Climate Resilience
Another priority is climate resilience, particularly for Pacific island countries. Australia intends to advocate greater support for climate adaptation and stronger international commitments.
3. Multilateralism and International Law
The third pillar focuses on strengthening multilateralism and rules-based international law, including efforts to protect trade routes and regional security amid growing major-power competition.
UNSC Composition
The United Nations Security Council has 10 non-permanent members, with five elected each year.
For the 2029–30 term, Australia and Finland are identified as nominees from the Western European and Others Group. Other regional groups, including the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean groups, will also nominate candidates.
Key Facts for AFCAT
- Country: Australia
- Target UNSC term: 2029–30
- Election: June 2028
- Required majority: Two-thirds of UN General Assembly
- Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
- Foreign Minister: Penny Wong
- Previous UNSC term ended: 2014
- Australian campaign pillars: AI and digital safety, climate resilience, multilateralism and international law
- UNSC non-permanent members: 10
- Members elected annually: 5
IAF Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to host the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The multinational air exercise is scheduled from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
The exercise will bring together air forces from several countries for joint aerial operations, tactical training and interoperability activities.
International Participation
According to the supplied information, several countries are expected to participate with different types of aircraft.
The United States is expected to deploy two to three F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, while France will participate with Rafale fighters. The United Arab Emirates is expected to deploy F-16 fighter aircraft.
Participating countries will also contribute support assets, including transport aircraft.
Indian Air Force Participation
The IAF is expected to deploy major frontline platforms, including Rafale and Su-30 fighter aircraft.
The exercise will also involve important support platforms such as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, transport aircraft and air-to-air refuelling tankers.
Link with Veer Guardian
Tarang Shakti 2026 follows the bilateral Indo-Japan air combat exercise Veer Guardian, which was also hosted at the Jodhpur airbase.
The multinational exercise is designed to provide participating air forces with an opportunity to conduct joint tactical manoeuvres and improve operational understanding and interoperability.
Significance
Tarang Shakti serves as a platform for international air forces to train together and conduct complex aerial activities. It also provides opportunities to exchange operational knowledge and strengthen cooperation among participating air forces.
Key Facts for AFCAT
- Exercise: Tarang Shakti 2026
- Edition: 2nd
- Host: Indian Air Force
- Venue: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Dates: 26 September–12 October 2026
- US aircraft: F-35
- French aircraft: Rafale
- UAE aircraft: F-16
- Indian aircraft: Rafale and Su-30
- Support assets: AEW&C, transport aircraft and air-to-air refuelling tankers
Lockheed Martin Secures $1.2 Billion US Army Deal
Lockheed Martin has secured a contract worth up to $1.2 billion from the US Army to manufacture the Increment 2 variant of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).
The PrSM is being developed as a new-generation long-range precision-strike weapon for the US Army and is intended to replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
Precision Strike Missile
The Precision Strike Missile is designed to provide long-range precision strike capability. According to Lockheed Martin, the latest contract follows a second successful flight test of the Increment 2 variant.
The test demonstrated the missile’s ability to engage moving maritime targets, highlighting an additional capability of the weapon system.
Expanding Production
The contract comes as Lockheed Martin increases its PrSM production capacity in response to rising demand for long-range strike systems.
In March, the company signed a seven-year agreement with the US Department of War aimed at increasing annual production capacity to 550 missiles.
The company is also building on a $4.94 billion US Army contract awarded the previous year, while the supplied material notes the weapon’s first combat use during Operation Epic Fury.
Key Facts
- Company: Lockheed Martin
- Customer: US Army
- Contract value: Up to $1.2 billion
- Weapon: Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)
- Variant: Increment 2
- Purpose: Long-range precision strike
- Replacement: Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)
- Production target: 550 missiles annually
- Production agreement: Seven years
- Earlier Army contract: $4.94 billion
Review Questions
- Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 is being conducted between India and which
country?
A. Japan
B. Mongolia
C. Vietnam
D. Kazakhstan
Answer: B. Mongolia - Which edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant is being conducted in 2026?
A. 16th
B. 17th
C. 18th
D. 19th
Answer: C. 18th - Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 is being held at which location?
A. Dehradun, Uttarakhand
B. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
C. Leh, Ladakh
D. Gangtok, Sikkim
Answer: B. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand - The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹586 crore contract for Auxiliary Power Units for
which tanks?
A. Arjun and Bhishma
B. T-55 and T-62
C. T-72 and T-90
D. K-9 Vajra and T-90
Answer: C. T-72 and T-90 - Which company will supply the Auxiliary Power Units under the ₹586 crore
contract?
A. Bharat Electronics Limited
B. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
C. Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited
D. Larsen & Toubro
Answer: C. Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited - Project NETRA is associated with which organisation?
A. DRDO
B. ISRO
C. HAL
D. BARC
Answer: B. ISRO - What is the primary purpose of Project NETRA?
A. Deep-sea exploration
B. Space Situational Awareness
C. Development of fighter aircraft
D. Weather forecasting
Answer: B. Space Situational Awareness - Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is scheduled to be hosted by the Indian Air Force at:
A. Jodhpur
B. Pune
C. Bengaluru
D. Chennai
Answer: A. Jodhpur - Which aircraft is the United States expected to deploy for Exercise Tarang Shakti
2026?
A. F-16
B. F-22 Raptor
C. F-35
D. B-2 Spirit
Answer: C. F-35 - The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is intended to replace which US Army missile
system?
A. Patriot
B. ATACMS
C. Hellfire
D. Stinger
Answer: B. ATACMS - ‘Ex KOMODO’ Hosted By
A. Qatar
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Indonesia
ANSWER: D - Operational Range of Rudram-1 Is
A. 150 km
B. 250 km
C. 350 km
D. 450 km
ANSWER: B - Army Air Defence College Is In
A. Gopalpur, Odisha
B. Pune, M.H.
C. Chennai, T.N.
D. None
ANSWER: A - “Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal” Is The Motto Of
A. Dogra Scouts
B. Sikkim Scouts
C. Regiment Of Artillery
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C - Prahaar Missile Manufactured By
A. MDL
B. BDL
C. CSL
D. DRDO
ANSWER: B - Thales Group Is A Company of __
A. UK
B. USA
C. Germany
D. France
ANSWER: D - Which Of The Following Is Not The Command Location Of The Indian Army?
A. New Delhi
B. Lucknow
C. Pune
D. Jaipur
ANSWER: A - Which Is The 2 Star Rank In The Indian Army?
A. Brigadier
B. Major General
C. Lt Gen
D. Colonel
ANSWER: B - Bratislava Is The Capital
A. Oman
B. Serbia
C. UAE
D. Slovakia
ANSWER: D - “Courts of India” Book Written By
A. Shashi Tharoor
B. CJI Ranjan Gogoi (Former)
C. Roopa Pai
D. Peter Baker
ANSWER: B
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