Missile Programme — Set 5
Defence GK · मिसाइल कार्यक्रम · Questions 41–50 of 160
Akash missile is used by which services?
Correct Answer: C. Indian Army and Indian Air Force
The Akash surface-to-air missile system is deployed by both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The Army variant and Air Force variant have slightly different configurations for vehicle-mounting versus base-mounted deployment. The Indian Navy uses a separate set of SAM systems.
Which missile system does India use for Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) — specifically the exo-atmospheric layer?
Correct Answer: C. Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD), also known as Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor, is India's exo-atmospheric missile defence system. It intercepts incoming ballistic missiles at altitudes above 80 km. PAD was first successfully tested in November 2006. It uses Prithvi missile hardware as the launch vehicle.
India's indigenously developed sub-sonic cruise missile, distinct from BrahMos, is:
Correct Answer: A. Nirbhay
Nirbhay is India's indigenously developed long-range subsonic cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 km. It is designed for deep-strike missions and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. Nirbhay is similar in concept to the American Tomahawk or Russian Kh-55 cruise missile.
What is India's MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicles) missile that was tested in 2024?
Correct Answer: A. Agni-V (with MIRV)
India tested the Agni-V with MIRV capability in March 2024 under Mission Divyastra. This made India the fourth country after the USA, Russia, and China (within the Asian region) to successfully test a MIRV-capable ICBM. MIRV allows a single Agni-V to deliver multiple nuclear warheads to different targets.
The Astra Mark-I air-to-air missile has an effective range of approximately:
Correct Answer: B. 80-100 km
Astra Mark-I has an effective range of approximately 80-100 km against head-on targets. It uses active radar homing (active radar seeker) for terminal guidance, making it a fire-and-forget weapon. Astra is India's first indigenously developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile.
The DRDO-developed Nag anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) has a range of approximately:
Correct Answer: B. 4-7 km
The Nag anti-tank guided missile has a range of approximately 4-7 km. The vehicle-mounted version (NAMICA — Nag Missile Carrier) is deployed on the BMP-II IFV chassis. Nag uses a fire-and-forget Infrared Imaging (IIR) seeker for autonomous tracking after launch.
India's nuclear triad consists of land, sea, and air components. Which aircraft in IAF's fleet is designated for nuclear weapon delivery?
Correct Answer: B. Mirage 2000 and Jaguar (and now Rafale)
India's air-based nuclear delivery capability primarily rests with the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and the newly acquired Rafale. The Rafale, inducted since 2020, is nuclear-capable (it carries France's ASMP-A nuclear missile in French service). India's Rafales are being integrated for nuclear role. The Su-30 MKI carries BrahMos for conventional strike.
The Agni-V missile test site at Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) is located off the coast of which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Odisha
Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) is located in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha. It is home to India's Integrated Test Range (ITR) which conducts tests of ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and other defence systems. Most Agni and BrahMos tests are conducted from here.
India's Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) is a joint development with which country?
Correct Answer: D. Israel
India's Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) is developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) of Israel. It provides area air defence against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles at ranges up to 70-100 km. Both the Army and Navy variants have been developed.
Brahmos is categorised under which type of missile?
Correct Answer: B. Cruise missile
BrahMos is categorised as a cruise missile — specifically a supersonic cruise missile. Unlike ballistic missiles which follow a parabolic trajectory, cruise missiles fly at lower altitudes using aerodynamic lift throughout their flight. BrahMos uses a two-stage propulsion system — a solid-fuel rocket booster and a ramjet sustainer engine.