Defence Current Affairs 28 April 2026

In Defence Current Affairs for 28 April 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be...

In Defence Current Affairs for 28 April 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 28 April 2026

SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2026

India will be represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the upcoming Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled in Bishkek on April 28, 2026.

The meeting will bring together defence leaders from member nations to deliberate on pressing regional and global security concerns. Key discussions are expected to focus on counter-terrorism, defence cooperation, and maintaining international peace.

This year’s gathering takes place amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in West Asia. As one of the largest regional organizations, the SCO is likely to explore ways to mitigate the impact of ongoing conflicts. India is expected to reiterate its firm stance against terrorism and emphasize its commitment to global stability.

The SCO, founded in 2001 in Shanghai, includes countries such as India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations. India became a full member in 2017 and held the organisation’s rotating chairmanship in 2023.

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India Strengthens Maritime Ties with Sri Lanka

India has further reinforced its maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka by supplying two personal watercraft to the Sri Lankan Coast Guard. These assets will enhance near-shore search and rescue capabilities.

The handover took place at the Coast Guard headquarters in Mirissa, reflecting the growing defence collaboration between the two countries. This initiative complements ongoing joint activities, including the bilateral diving exercise IN-SLN DIVEX 2026.

India’s naval vessel INS Nireekshak participated in the exercise held in Colombo from April 21 to April 27. Such engagements demonstrate the shared commitment of both nations to ensuring security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

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Rising Military Expenditure: India and the World

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s military spending increased by 8.9% in 2025, reaching approximately USD 92.1 billion. This positions India among the top five global military spenders.

Globally, defence expenditure rose to USD 2,887 billion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth. The largest contributors include the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India, collectively accounting for over half of global military spending.

The rise in India’s expenditure has been linked to evolving security challenges, including tensions with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan also recorded an increase in defence spending, largely driven by procurement of advanced military equipment.

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Sigma–Rolls-Royce Aerospace Partnership

India’s aerospace manufacturing sector received a boost as Sigma Advanced Systems secured a major contract worth approximately ₹3,800 crore with Rolls-Royce.

The seven-year agreement involves the production of high-precision, safety-critical components for aerospace programmes. This collaboration strengthens Sigma’s position as a global manufacturing partner and enhances India’s footprint in the international aerospace supply chain.

The partnership also reflects growing industrial cooperation between India and the United Kingdom, driven by shared technological and economic interests.

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Progress Towards Integrated Theatre Commands

India is moving closer to a major transformation in its military structure through the proposed introduction of integrated theatre commands. Discussions on this reform will be central to the upcoming Joint Commanders’ Conference in Jaipur.

Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan has indicated that the proposal is in its final stages and may soon be placed before the government for approval.

The plan envisions the creation of three primary theatre commands:

  • A western command focusing on Pakistan
  • A northern command addressing challenges along the China border
  • A maritime command overseeing the Indian Ocean Region

Each command would integrate resources from the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a unified leadership structure. Currently, India operates 17 separate service-based commands, which the new system aims to consolidate for better coordination and efficiency.

If implemented, this reform would represent the most significant restructuring of India’s armed forces since independence, enhancing jointness and operational readiness.

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Review Questions

  1. The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2026 is scheduled to be held in:
    A. Tashkent
    B. Beijing
    C. Bishkek
    D. Astana
    Answer: C. Bishkek
    Explanation: The 2026 SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting will take place in Bishkek,
    Kyrgyzstan.
  2. India is represented at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting by:
    A. Narendra Modi
    B. Rajnath Singh
    C. Ajit Doval
    D. S. Jaishankar
    Answer: B. Rajnath Singh
    Explanation: The Defence Minister leads India’s delegation at the SCO meeting.
  3. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established in:
    A. 1995
    B. 2001
    C. 2010
    D. 2015
    Answer: B. 2001
    Explanation: SCO was founded on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai.
  4. India became a full member of the SCO in:
    A. 2015
    B. 2016
    C. 2017
    D. 2018
    Answer: C. 2017
    Explanation: India joined SCO as a full member in 2017.
  5. India recently provided personal watercraft (PWC) to:
    A. Maldives
    B. Bangladesh
    C. Myanmar
    D. Sri Lanka
    Answer: D. Sri Lanka
    Explanation: The PWCs were given to enhance Sri Lanka’s coastal security and rescue
    operations.
  6. Which Indian naval vessel participated in IN-SLN DIVEX 2026?
    A. INS Vikrant
    B. INS Arihant
    C. INS Nireekshak
    D. INS Kolkata
    Answer: C. INS Nireekshak
    Explanation: INS Nireekshak took part in the bilateral diving exercise with Sri Lanka.
  7. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s
    military expenditure in 2025 was approximately:
    A. USD 70 billion
    B. USD 82 billion
    C. USD 92.1 billion
    D. USD 110 billion
    Answer: C. USD 92.1 billion
    Explanation: India’s defence spending rose by 8.9% to USD 92.1 billion in 2025.
  8. Which company signed a ₹3,800 crore aerospace contract with Rolls-Royce?
    A. HAL
    B. Tata Advanced Systems
    C. DRDO
    D. Sigma Advanced Systems
    Answer: D. Sigma Advanced Systems
    Explanation: Sigma secured a long-term aerospace manufacturing deal with Rolls
    Royce.
  9. The proposed Northern Theatre Command of India is primarily focused on:
    A. Indian Ocean Region
    B. Pakistan
    C. China and Line of Actual Control
    D. Southeast Asia
    Answer: C. China and Line of Actual Control
    Explanation: The northern command will handle security concerns along the China
    border.
  10. India currently operates how many single-service military commands?
    A. 12
    B. 15
    C. 17
    D. 19
    Answer: C. 17
    Explanation: India has 17 commands (Army: 7, Air Force: 7, Navy: 3), which may be
    integrated into theatre commands.
  11. Who has been appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog?
    A. Raghuram Rajan
    B. Arvind Subramanian
    C. Ashok Kumar Lahiri
    D. Urjit Patel
    ANSWER: C
  12. Barak Is A
    A. Surface-to-air Missile
    B. Surface-to-Surface Missile
    C. Air-to-air Missile
    D. Surface-to-Sea Missile
    ANSWER: A
  13. “Ordnance Factory Day” in India Is Observed On
    A. 14 March
    B. 15 March
    C. 16 March
    D. 18 March
    ANSWER: D
  14. INS Valsura Located At
    A. Jamnagar, Gujrat
    B. Mumbai, M.H
    C. Kochi, Kerala
    D. A & NC
    ANSWER: A
  15. Exercise Maitree Conducted B/w India &
    A. Thailand
    B. Nepal
    C. Bangladesh
    D. Bhutan
    ANSWER: A
  16. Infantry School Of Indian Army Is At
    A. Mhow
    B. Bhopal
    C. Gwalior
    D. Jammu
    ANSWER: A
  17. Officers Training Academy Is At
    A. Chennai
    B. Bhopal
    C. Gaya
    D. Both A & C
    ANSWER: D
  18. Northern Army Command headquarters Is in
    A. Jaipur
    B. Udhampur
    C. Pune
    D. Lucknow
    ANSWER: B
  19. DF-41 ICBM Is A Missile Of
    A. India
    B. Russia
    C. China
    D. North Korea
    ANSWER: C
  20. The IAI Heron UAV Developed By
    A. USA
    B. South Korea
    C. Israel
    D. China
    ANSWER: C

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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.