DRDO, HAL & Defence Orgs — Set 3

Correct Answer: B. Arjun MBT

Arjun MBT (Main Battle Tank) is India's first indigenously developed main battle tank, developed by CVRDE (Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment), a DRDO lab in Chennai. The development began in 1972 and the tank was inducted into the Indian Army in 2004. Arjun Mk1A has 72 improvements over Mk1. Arjun uses a 120 mm rifled gun, composite armour, and an advanced fire control system. The Indian Army has 124 Arjun tanks. Arjun is being upgraded with the Mk2 variant featuring a 120 mm smoothbore gun and active protection system.

Correct Answer: B. Cryptography and information security

SAG (Scientific Analysis Group) is a DRDO laboratory in Delhi specialising in cryptography, information security, and cybersecurity for defence applications. SAG develops classified cryptographic algorithms, secure communication systems, electronic intelligence analysis tools, and cybersecurity products for the Indian military. SANCHAR (Secure Communication) and SAMBHAV (mobile encrypted communication) are among SAG's products used by the armed forces. SAG's work is critical to ensuring secure military communications and protecting sensitive defence information.

Correct Answer: B. India's first dedicated attack helicopter

HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed dedicated attack helicopter. It was inducted into the Indian Air Force in October 2022 and into the Indian Army in March 2023. LCH Prachand is optimised for high-altitude warfare, having been tested at altitudes up to 5000 metres in Siachen and Himalayan regions. It is armed with 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rockets, and Dhruvastra anti-tank missiles. The helicopter can operate in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius.

Correct Answer: B. Delhi

INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences) is a DRDO laboratory located in Delhi (Timarpur). It specialises in nuclear medicine, radiation biology, radiation safety, and management of nuclear/radiological disasters. INMAS develops biodosimetry techniques to assess radiation exposure, radioprotective drugs, and medical countermeasures for nuclear/radiological emergencies. INMAS also provides training for NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) warfare casualty management. Its research supports both defence needs and civilian healthcare in nuclear medicine.

Correct Answer: B. Personnel selection, human performance, and psychological operations

DIPR (Defence Institute of Psychological Research), a DRDO lab in Delhi, focuses on psychological research relevant to military operations. Key areas include: psychological profiling for military personnel selection, performance under extreme stress (high altitude, underwater), human-machine interface for advanced weapon systems, PSYOPS (Psychological Operations), and counter-propaganda. DIPR also develops screening tools for special forces recruitment — testing mental toughness, decision-making, and stress tolerance. DIPR research helps optimise military personnel performance across combat environments.

Correct Answer: C. Buy (Indian – IDDM)

Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP) 2020 introduced the 'Buy (Indian – IDDM)' (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category as the highest priority procurement category. IDDM gives maximum preference to products that are both designed in India AND manufactured in India. The DAP 2020 replaced the earlier Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016. Key categories include: Buy (Indian-IDDM) > Buy (Indian) > Buy and Make (Indian) > Buy and Make > Buy (Global). DAP 2020 also revised offset provisions and increased indigenous content requirements.

Correct Answer: B. Hyderabad

DMRL (Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is DRDO's premier materials laboratory specialising in high-performance metals, alloys, and composites for defence applications. DMRL developed the kanchan composite armour used in Indian tanks (T-72, Arjun), titanium alloys for submarine hulls, special steels for naval vessels, and aluminium alloys for aircraft and helicopters. DMRL's work on lightweight armour materials and advanced composites is critical for next-generation weapons systems.

Correct Answer: B. Varunastra

Varunastra is India's indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo, developed by NSTL (Naval Science and Technological Laboratory), a DRDO lab in Visakhapatnam. It has a range of 40 km and a speed of over 40 knots. Varunastra uses electric propulsion and weighs 1250 kg with an explosive warhead. It is deployed on Indian naval ships including destroyers and frigates. India has also exported Varunastra to Myanmar. The torpedo is designed to target enemy submarines at depths of up to 400 metres.

Correct Answer: A. AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar

Tejas Mk1A features an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar (ELM-2052 from Israel's ELTA), replacing the earlier mechanical scan radar, significantly improving situational awareness and multi-target engagement. Other improvements include mid-air refuelling capability (probe and drogue), advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, enhanced weapons capacity (Link-16 datalink), and improved maintainability. The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 Mk1A aircraft at approximately Rs 48,000 crore. First Mk1A delivery is expected in 2025.

Correct Answer: B. 2014

'Make in India' was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 25 September 2014. In the defence sector, Make in India has led to major reforms: 74% then 100% FDI in defence manufacturing, Defence Industrial Corridors in UP and Tamil Nadu, iDEX for startups, positive indigenisation lists (over 310 defence items that can only be procured domestically), Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP) 2020, and increased budget allocation for capital procurement from Indian manufacturers. The objective is to make India a global defence manufacturing hub.