Missile Programme — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. Air-to-air beyond visual range missile

Astra is India's indigenously developed air-to-air beyond visual range (BVR) missile. It is carried by IAF's Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, HAL Tejas, and potentially other aircraft. Astra can engage targets beyond visual range and has variants with increasing range capabilities.

Correct Answer: B. 300-500 km

Pralay is India's surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile with a range of approximately 150-500 km (primary operational range around 300-500 km). It was first successfully tested in December 2021. Pralay is designed to strike land targets with high accuracy and can manoeuvre mid-flight to avoid interception.

Correct Answer: C. Helicopter

Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) / Dhruvastra is an air-launched anti-tank missile designed to be launched from the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). It is the helicopter variant of the Nag anti-tank missile. It uses infrared imaging seeker (IIR) for terminal guidance.

Correct Answer: B. Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile

QRSAM stands for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile. It is developed by DRDO for the Indian Army to provide point and area air defence against aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. QRSAM is a mobile system mounted on vehicles and entered production after successful trials.

Correct Answer: B. 25-30 km

The Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) has a range of approximately 25-30 km. It is one of the five IGMDP missiles and is deployed by both the Indian Army and IAF. Akash-NG (Next Generation) has improved range and manoeuvrability against targets including small UAVs and cruise missiles.

Correct Answer: B. An exo-atmospheric missile interceptor for ballistic missile defence

Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) is India's exo-atmospheric interceptor missile designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere (at altitudes above 80 km). Together with Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric interception, PAD forms India's two-tier Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. Knowledge of India's defence capabilities and history is essential for competitive examinations and national awareness.

Correct Answer: B. Below 30 km (15-30 km altitude)

Advanced Air Defence (AAD) operates in the endo-atmospheric layer, intercepting incoming ballistic missiles at altitudes of approximately 15-30 km. It uses a terminal guidance radar and kinetic kill vehicle. Together with PAD (exo-atmospheric, >80 km), India has a two-tier BMD capability.

Correct Answer: D. Infrared Imaging (IIR) fire and forget

The Nag (Cobra) is an advanced anti-tank missile that uses Infrared Imaging (IIR) seeker with fire-and-forget capability. This means the operator fires the missile and then can seek cover, as the missile autonomously tracks and destroys the target. Nag has a range of approximately 4-7 km.

Correct Answer: B. Cancelled and not inducted

Trishul, the short-range surface-to-air missile developed under IGMDP, was eventually cancelled and not inducted into full operational service. The decision was made in 2008 due to the missile's limitations and obsolescence. The role envisaged for Trishul was later filled by other systems including imported missiles.

Correct Answer: B. 1000-2000 km

The correct answer is '1000-2000 km'. Agni-P (Prime) is a new-generation canisterised ballistic missile with a range of approximately 1,000-2,000 km. It was successfully tested for the first time in June 2021. Agni-P is designed to replace the older Prithvi and shorter-range Agni missiles with a more accurate and mobile system.