DRDO, HAL & Defence Orgs — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Kaveri aero-engine for Indian fighter aircraft

GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment), a DRDO lab in Bangalore, is developing the Kaveri aero-engine for Indian fighter aircraft including Tejas. The Kaveri programme began in 1986. A dry version (Kaveri-Dry without afterburner) has been certified, and a modified version for UAVs has been tested. Full Kaveri with afterburner development is still ongoing. The Kaveri engine, when complete, will produce 90 kN thrust with afterburner and 52 kN dry thrust. Kaveri development is critical for India's long-term fighter aircraft engine self-sufficiency.

Correct Answer: C. India and Russia

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (military). It was established in 1998. BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, travels at Mach 2.8 and has a range of 290-450 km in various configurations. BrahMos is the world's fastest operational cruise missile. India has deployed BrahMos on land (Army), ships (Navy), and aircraft (Su-30 MKI). The Philippines purchased BrahMos in 2022, making India's first major missile export.

Correct Answer: B. Self-reliance in defence technology through research and development

DRDO's primary mandate is to achieve self-reliance in defence technology through research and development. DRDO designs, develops, and leads industrialisation of defence systems covering land, sea, air, cyber, space, and nuclear domains. Key DRDO deliverables include IGMDP missiles (Agni, Prithvi, Akash, NAG, Trishul), Tejas LCA, Arjun MBT, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, EW systems, sonar systems, and NBC protection equipment. DRDO's budget is approximately Rs 23,263 crore (2023-24), about 6% of the total defence budget.

Correct Answer: B. GE F404 / GE F414 (American)

Tejas Mk1 uses the GE F404-GE-IN20 engine produced by General Electric (USA), with 85 kN thrust in afterburner. This engine was selected because the indigenous Kaveri engine was not ready. Tejas Mk1A will also use the GE F404. The more powerful Tejas Mk2 (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, AMCA) is expected to use the GE F414 engine with 98 kN thrust. In the long term, India is developing the Kaveri-derived K9 and K10 engines to achieve indigenous engine self-sufficiency for future fighters.

Correct Answer: B. 40-75 km

Pinaka MBRL (Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher) is an indigenous DRDO-developed artillery rocket system. Pinaka Mk1 has a range of 37-40 km, Pinaka Mk2 extended range is 60-75 km, and Pinaka Mk2 (Enhanced) reaches 90 km. The system fires 12 rockets in 44 seconds saturating a 3.9 sq km area. Pinaka is manufactured by BEML, L&T, and Tata Advanced Systems. India has exported Pinaka to Armenia. Pinaka replaced the Soviet-era Grad rocket system in the Indian Army and proved its effectiveness during the Kargil War.

Correct Answer: B. Netra

DRDO developed 'Netra' (AEW&CS — Airborne Early Warning and Control System), which was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2017. Netra is based on the Embraer ERJ 145 jet platform with indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, communications, and datalink systems developed by DRDO and BEL. With a range of 200-240 km, Netra can simultaneously track multiple air threats. India also operates three Israeli Phalcon AWACS systems on Il-76 platforms, but Netra is the indigenous alternative.

Correct Answer: B. Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

IGMDP stands for Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, launched in 1983 under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. IGMDP was conceived to give India self-reliance in missile technology by developing five missile systems: Prithvi (surface-to-surface), Agni (ballistic), Akash (surface-to-air), Trishul (surface-to-air, low-level), and NAG (anti-tank). IGMDP was officially closed in 2008 after achieving its objectives. Its success transformed India into one of the world's leading missile-developing nations.

Correct Answer: C. Short-range air surveillance radar

Rohini is a low-level transportable radar developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL. It is a short-range (160 km) air surveillance radar designed to detect low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and fast-moving missiles approaching at low altitudes. Rohini uses advanced signal processing for clutter reduction and moving target indication. It is deployed with air defence units across India and provides ground-based air surveillance. Rohini was India's first indigenous radar and proved DRDO's capability in radar development.

Correct Answer: B. A list of defence items that CANNOT be imported and must be procured domestically

India's Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) is a list of defence items that the Indian military CANNOT import — they must be procured from domestic sources. This forces development and production of these items in India. By 2024, India has released 5 PILs covering over 310 defence platforms and systems, including aircraft, helicopters, missiles, ships, submarines, tanks, artillery, and ordnance. PILs are the core mechanism for India's defence import substitution policy and creating assured domestic demand for Indian defence manufacturers.

Correct Answer: B. A 5th generation stealth fighter jet

AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) is India's ambitious programme to develop a 5th generation stealth multi-role fighter aircraft. AMCA is designed by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) with HAL as the manufacturing partner. Key features include internal weapons bay (for stealth), advanced AESA radar, supercruise capability, electronic warfare suite, and twin-engine design. ADA received Cabinet approval for AMCA in March 2024. The AMCA Mk1 will use GE F414 engines; Mk2 will have indigenous engines. First flight is expected around 2028-2030.