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Defence Current Affairs 24 January 2026

In Current Affairs for 24 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial...

In Current Affairs for 24 January 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 24 January 2026

Recent developments in defence technology and military strategy highlight a period of rapid transformation in global security dynamics. From India’s advances in hypersonic weaponry and indigenous manufacturing to shifting U.S. defence priorities and China’s experimentation with AI-driven drone warfare, these changes are reshaping how nations prepare for future conflicts.

India’s LR-AShM: A Hypersonic Game Changer

India has unveiled its Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), a cutting-edge hypersonic weapon system designed to counter high-value naval assets, particularly aircraft carrier strike groups operating in the Indian Ocean Region. Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile marks a major milestone under the Make in India initiative.

Capable of reaching speeds close to Mach 10, the LR-AShM sustains hypersonic velocity throughout most of its flight, making interception extremely challenging. With an operational range of around 1,500 kilometres, the missile can hit naval formations, island bases, and coastal infrastructure within minutes, sharply reducing enemy reaction time. Its hypersonic glide vehicle technology allows unpredictable manoeuvres at extreme speeds, enabling it to bypass even advanced missile defence systems and significantly strengthen India’s maritime deterrence.

Solar Defence’s Universal 125-kg Air Bomb

India’s private defence manufacturing sector has also achieved a breakthrough with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited introducing the world’s first universal 125-kilogram aerial bomb. Designed to be compatible with both Western NATO-standard aircraft and Russian-origin fighter platforms, the bomb addresses a long-standing operational challenge faced by air forces operating mixed fleets.

Traditionally, different aircraft required separate bomb variants due to differences in mounting systems and avionics, increasing costs and logistical complexity. Solar’s innovation uses an adaptive suspension and interface design that eliminates the need for multiple variants. Integration trials with the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet are in advanced stages, paving the way for streamlined logistics, reduced inventory burden, and enhanced operational flexibility.

BEL Strengthens Indigenous Defence Electronics

Public sector defence major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has further reinforced India’s self-reliance push by securing additional defence orders worth ₹610 crore. The contracts span critical areas such as secure communication systems, thermal imaging equipment, and medical electronics.

These systems are vital for enhancing situational awareness, battlefield coordination, and troop survivability across land, sea, and air operations. BEL’s growing order book reflects sustained confidence in indigenous defence electronics and aligns with India’s broader goal of reducing import dependence while modernising its armed forces.

United States Signals Shift in Defence Responsibilities

On the global front, the United States has released a revised National Defense Strategy that calls on allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security. The document marks a noticeable shift in tone, emphasising American strategic interests and reduced reliance on traditional burden-sharing arrangements.

While cooperation with allies remains part of U.S. policy, the strategy underscores a stronger focus on securing critical regions such as the Western Hemisphere and ensuring access to strategic locations like Greenland and the Panama Canal. This approach has generated unease among long-standing partners in Europe and Asia, signalling a more transactional phase in global defence partnerships.

China’s AI-Enabled Drone Swarm Capability

China has claimed significant progress in drone swarm warfare, stating that a single soldier can now control over 200 drones using artificial intelligence. According to reports released by Chinese state media, these swarms rely on autonomous algorithms that allow drones to coordinate tasks such as reconnaissance, decoy operations, and precision strikes.

The system is said to have undergone extensive training using simulations and real-world flight data, enhancing autonomous decision-making. If operationalised at scale, such technology could dramatically alter future battlefields by overwhelming traditional air defence systems and enabling low-cost, high-impact operations.

Conclusion

Together, these developments illustrate a rapidly evolving defence landscape driven by hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and indigenous manufacturing. India’s progress reflects growing technological maturity and strategic confidence, while shifts in U.S. policy and China’s drone ambitions indicate changing global power equations. For defence planners and security analysts, these trends underscore the importance of adaptability, innovation, and self-reliance in an increasingly contested world.

Review Questions

  1. India’s LR-AShM missile is best described as:
    A. A subsonic cruise missile for coastal defence
    B. A hypersonic anti-ship weapon capable of evading missile defences
    C. A ballistic missile designed for land-based targets
    D. An air-to-air missile for long-range interception
    ANSWER: B
  2. What is the key technological feature that enhances the survivability of India’s
    LR-AShM?
    A. Stealth coating and low radar cross-section
    B. Satellite-based terminal guidance
    C. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle enabling evasive manoeuvres
    D. Vertical launch capability from submarines
    ANSWER: C
  3. The primary advantage of Solar Defence’s 125-kg universal air bomb is:
    A. Extended strike range using rocket propulsion
    B. Compatibility with both Western and Russian-origin fighter aircraft
    C. Ability to carry nuclear payloads
    D. Autonomous target selection using AI
    ANSWER: B
  4. Bharat Electronics Limited’s recent defence orders mainly support which of the
    following objectives?
    A. Expansion of India’s nuclear deterrence
    B. Import of advanced foreign defence systems
    C. Modernisation of armed forces through indigenous electronics
    D. Civil aviation and commercial aerospace growth
    ANSWER: C
  5. China’s claimed drone swarm capability indicates that:
    A. Drone operations require multiple operators for coordination
    B. Drone swarms are limited to reconnaissance roles only
    C. Artificial intelligence enables a single soldier to control hundreds of drones
    D. Drone swarm warfare is entirely manual and non-autonomous
    ANSWER: C
  6. India’s Buys P8I Aircraft From
    A. Iran
    B. USA
    C. UK
    D. Uganda
    ANSWER: B
  7. JCPOA Stands For
    A. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
    B. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Act
    C. Joint Comprehensive Plane of Action
    D. None
    ANSWER: A
  8. 15th President of India Is/Was
    A. Shrimati Draupadi Murmu
    B. Shri Pratibha Singh Patil
    C. Shri Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
    D. Shri Pranab Mukherjee
    ANSWER: A
  9. __Of The Constitution Read With The Presidential and Vice-Presidential
    Elections.
    A. Article 324
    B. Article 352
    C. Article 356
    D. Article 360
    ANSWER: A
  10. Make in India Was Launched In
    A. 2010
    B. 2014
    C. 2019
    D. None of the above
    ANSWER: B
  11. __holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF.
    A. President of India
    B. PM
    C. NSA
    D. Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)
    ANSWER: A
  12. Which Is The Type Of A LUH?
    A. Chetak
    B. Apache
    C. Chinook
    D. Rafale
    ANSWER: A
  13. Hq of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Is In
    A. Bangalore
    B. New Delhi
    C. Chennai
    D. Karachi
    ANSWER: A
  14. Current Vice Chief of the Air Staff Is
    A. Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh
    B. Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
    C. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
    D. Air Marshal Vibhas Pande
    ANSWER: A
  15. Iran Boundary Doesn’t Touch With
    A. Iraq
    B. India
    C. Pakistan
    D. Russia
    ANSWER: D
  16. Wing Commander Rank of IAF Is Equivalent To Which Rank Of Indian Army?
    A. Lieutenant
    B. Captain
    C. Lieutenant Colonel
    D. Colonel
    ANSWER: C
  17. Luanda Is The Capital Of
    A. Azerbaijan
    B. Qatar
    C. Angola
    D. Maldives
    ANSWER: C
  18. “A Place Called Home” Book Is Written By
    A. Rizwan Khan
    B. Priya Sharma
    C. Hew Strachan
    D. Preeti Shenoy
    ANSWER: D
  19. The G20 was founded in
    A. 1999
    B. 2000
    C. 2004
    D. 2005
    ANSWER: A
  20. Exercises B/w The India And Vietnam Is Called:
    A. VINBAX
    B. SLINEX
    C. Indra
    D. Vajra Prahar
    ANSWER: A

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Divyanshu Pandey

Senior Lecturer General Studies, SSBCrackExams, Cleared CDS 4 times, NDA 2 times, Ex- N.C.C. cadet, SSB Expert. Passionate Teacher, Trained defence aspirants for their SSB Interview, BSc in PCM expertise in Geography, Indian Polity, Current Affairs and Defence affairs. Writing Article and Travelling solo.

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