Q20. Consider Shaurya:
1. It flies faster than Mach 8.
2. Its range exceeds 1,600 km.
Which statements were correct according to the 2009 key?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2009]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: The 2009 examination key treated both assertions as incorrect using the then-reported specifications of Shaurya. Missile performance figures change across development stages, so the historical answer must be read in that context.
Q19. From which country did India purchase the Barak anti-missile defence system?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2008]
(A) Israel
(B) France
(C) Russia
(D) United States
Answer: (A) Israel
Explanation: The Barak air-defence missile system was acquired from Israel for naval protection. Barak-series interceptors are intended to counter incoming aerial threats, including missiles aimed at warships. Shipborne interceptors form part of layered naval protection against aircraft and approaching anti-ship weapons.
Q18. With which country was an unmanned helicopter being developed for the Indian Navy?
[UPPSC Mains 2008]
(A) China
(B) France
(C) Israel
(D) United States
Answer: (C) Israel
Explanation: The programme referred to cooperation between Indian aerospace organisations and Israel on an unmanned helicopter. Such platforms could be used for shipborne reconnaissance, surveillance and related naval tasks.
Q17. Shaurya, successfully tested in November 2008, is what kind of missile?
[UPPSC Special Prelims 2008]
(A) Surface-to-air ballistic missile
(B) Surface-to-water ballistic missile
(C) Surface-to-surface ballistic missile
(D) None of these
Answer: (C) Surface-to-surface ballistic missile
Explanation: Shaurya is a canister-launched surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by India. Its mission concerns attacks on ground targets rather than the interception of airborne aircraft. Missile classification depends on launch mode, propulsion and trajectory rather than on its popular name alone.
Q16. Consider Prithvi-II:
1. DRDO successfully conducted an interception trial in November 2006.
2. Prithvi-II can defend cities against air attack.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2007]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: The November 2006 ballistic missile-defence trial used a Prithvi-class missile as a target. Prithvi-II itself is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, not an interceptor that protects cities from air attacks. This missile belongs to India’s early indigenous ballistic-weapons development, which helped establish the country’s strategic engineering base.
Q15. Which fighter aircraft was flown by former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam?
[RPSC RAS Prelims 2007]
(A) F-16
(B) MiG-30
(C) Jaguar
(D) Sukhoi Su-30MKI
Answer: (D) Sukhoi Su-30MKI
Explanation: Dr Kalam flew in an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI in June 2006. The Sukhoi is a twin-engine multirole fighter equipped for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Su-30MKI is a multirole aircraft capable of using different weapons for aerial combat and ground attack.
Q14. Match Trishul, Prithvi, Agni and Nag with short-range SAM, surface-to-surface, intermediate ballistic missile and anti-tank missile.
[UP Lower Subordinate Services Prelims 2007]
(A) 1-2-3-4
(B) 4-3-2-1
(C) 3-4-2-1
(D) 2-1-4-3
Answer: (C) 3-4-2-1
Explanation: Trishul was a short-range surface-to-air missile; Prithvi is surface-to-surface; Agni refers to ballistic missiles of progressively longer range; Nag is an anti-tank guided weapon. Unlike a cruise missile, a ballistic missile relies chiefly on its momentum and gravity after its initial powered stages.
Q13. Which Indian missile was tested on 27 January 1996 at Chandipur?
[UP UDA/LDA Prelims 2006]
(A) Prithvi-I
(B) Prithvi-II
(C) Akash
(D) PSLV-D2
Answer: (B) Prithvi-II
Explanation: Prithvi-II is the member of the Prithvi ballistic-missile family associated with the January 1996 test. It uses liquid-propellant technology and is a ground-attack missile. This missile belongs to India’s early indigenous ballistic-weapons development, which helped establish the country’s strategic engineering base.
Q12. Which pair was NOT correctly matched?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2005]
(A) Arjun—indigenous main battle tank
(B) Phalcon—Russian cruise missile
(C) Saras—indigenous passenger aircraft
(D) Operation Seabird—naval base at Karwar
Answer: (B) Phalcon—Russian cruise missile
Explanation: Phalcon refers to an Israeli airborne early-warning radar system, not a Russian cruise missile. The other pairs refer to the Indian Arjun tank, Saras aircraft and Karwar naval infrastructure. Airborne radar platforms can extend detection horizons by operating above terrain obstacles that limit ground radar coverage.
Q11. From which country did India obtain the Phalcon airborne radar system?
[UPPSC Mains 2004]
(A) United States
(B) Israel
(C) France
(D) Russia
Answer: (B) Israel
Explanation: Phalcon is an airborne early-warning and control radar system developed in Israel. Such equipment allows aircraft to detect, track and share information about airspace threats over wide areas. Airborne radar platforms can extend detection horizons by operating above terrain obstacles that limit ground radar coverage.
