Air Force & Aircraft — Set 4
Defence GK · वायु सेना और विमान · Questions 31–40 of 160
The Chinook heavy-lift helicopter used by the IAF is manufactured by:
Correct Answer: A. Boeing (USA)
The CH-47F Chinook is a heavy-lift tandem rotor helicopter manufactured by Boeing of the USA. The Indian Air Force inducted Chinook helicopters in 2019. They are used for transporting troops, artillery, and equipment in high-altitude areas including the Himalayan region.
Which award is the highest gallantry award given to IAF personnel during wartime?
Correct Answer: A. Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest wartime gallantry award given to all three services including the IAF. It is awarded for the most conspicuous acts of bravery or self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The award was instituted on January 26, 1950.
The Mahavir Chakra is which level of wartime gallantry award?
Correct Answer: A. Second highest
The Mahavir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest wartime gallantry award in India, after the Param Vir Chakra. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. Many IAF personnel have been honoured with the MVC.
Which IAF Wing Commander was the first Indian to fly in space?
Correct Answer: A. Rakesh Sharma
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to fly in space. He flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft on April 2, 1984. When asked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, he replied 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' (Better than the whole world).
The IAF's C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft is used primarily for:
Correct Answer: A. Special operations and tactical airlift
The C-130J Super Hercules is used by the IAF for special operations and tactical airlift missions. India procured these aircraft from the USA. They have been used in evacuation missions and supply drops in difficult terrains including operations from the world's highest airstrips in Ladakh.
The Mirage 2000 aircraft in the Indian Air Force is procured from which country?
Correct Answer: A. France
The Mirage 2000 is a multirole fighter jet procured from France's Dassault Aviation. India inducted the Mirage 2000 in the 1980s and operates them from Gwalior Air Force Station. The aircraft was famously used during the 1999 Kargil War to strike targets at high altitudes with laser-guided bombs.
Operation Vijay (1999) refers to which military operation?
Correct Answer: A. Kargil War
Operation Vijay was the Indian military operation to recapture the territories occupied by Pakistani forces in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999. The IAF played a crucial role with Operation Safed Sagar, conducting air strikes on enemy positions at high altitudes. Knowledge of India's defence capabilities and history is essential for competitive examinations and national awareness.
The IAF's Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is used for:
Correct Answer: A. Strategic airlift
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft used by the IAF for strategic airlift operations. India inducted the C-17 in 2013. It can carry heavy equipment, vehicles, and troops over long distances and has been used in humanitarian disaster relief operations.
The Jaguar aircraft in the IAF is primarily used for:
Correct Answer: A. Deep strike and ground attack
The SEPECAT Jaguar is used by the IAF primarily for deep strike and ground attack missions. It was procured jointly from the UK and France and also manufactured by HAL in India. The Jaguar has been in service with the IAF since 1979 and is known for its ability to carry heavy payloads.
Which IAF base serves as the headquarters of the South-Western Air Command?
Correct Answer: A. Gandhinagar
The South-Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force has its headquarters at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It covers the western and south-western frontier of India. The command oversees airbases in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Madhya Pradesh along the Pakistan border.