Missile Programme — Set 4
Defence GK · मिसाइल कार्यक्रम · Questions 31–40 of 160
Which organisation is responsible for developing India's missiles under the IGMDP and beyond?
Correct Answer: C. DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is responsible for developing India's missiles, including the entire IGMDP series, BrahMos (with Russia), and more recent systems. DRDO operates specialized missile development laboratories including DRDL (Defence Research and Development Laboratory) in Hyderabad. India has developed a range of missiles including Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos, and Akash under various defence programmes.
DRDL, which is the primary missile development laboratory of DRDO, is located in:
Correct Answer: D. Hyderabad
DRDL (Defence Research and Development Laboratory) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is the premier missile development laboratory of DRDO and was responsible for developing most of the IGMDP missiles. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam worked extensively at DRDL.
The first successful test of Agni-V was conducted from which location?
Correct Answer: B. Wheeler Island, Odisha
Agni-V was first successfully tested on April 19, 2012, from Abdul Kalam Island (then Wheeler Island) in Odisha. The island is now officially named Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island. It is India's primary missile test range in the Bay of Bengal.
Wheeler Island, which was used for Agni missile testing, has been officially renamed as:
Correct Answer: B. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island
Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal has been officially renamed 'Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island' in honour of India's Missile Man who passed away in 2015. The island is India's Integrated Test Range (ITR) and has been used for testing Agni, K-15, and other missiles. India has developed a range of missiles including Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos, and Akash under various defence programmes.
India's MTCR membership, which allowed extending BrahMos range beyond 290 km, was obtained in which year?
Correct Answer: D. 2016
India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016. MTCR is an informal political arrangement to prevent the proliferation of missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction. India's membership allowed BrahMos range extension beyond the previous 290 km limit.
The Agni series of missiles is named after what?
Correct Answer: A. The god Agni (fire) in Hindu mythology
The Agni missile series is named after 'Agni,' the god of fire in Hindu mythology. The naming follows DRDO's tradition of naming missiles after Hindu mythology (Prithvi=Earth, Akash=Sky, Nag=Cobra, Trishul=Trident). Agni is also a symbolic name representing the destructive power and energy of fire.
The Prithvi missile is named after 'Prithvi' which means what in Sanskrit?
Correct Answer: C. Earth
'Prithvi' means Earth in Sanskrit. The Prithvi surface-to-surface missile is thus named after the Earth it targets — a ballistic missile that travels through the atmosphere to hit ground targets. This naming is consistent with IGMDP's tradition of naming missiles after natural elements.
The INS Arihant, which carries K-15 Sagarika missiles, is what type of warship?
Correct Answer: D. Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)
INS Arihant is India's first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN — Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear). It was commissioned in 2016. Arihant completes the sea-based leg of India's nuclear triad, giving India a credible second-strike capability from the ocean depths.
Which country is India's partner in developing the BrahMos missile?
Correct Answer: D. Russia
BrahMos is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya (a subordinate company of OAO VPK NPO Mashinostroyeniya). The joint venture was established in 1998. Russia contributed the core propulsion technology (based on P-800 Oniks) while India contributed the seeker and other systems.
Which of India's missile systems is considered the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile?
Correct Answer: C. BrahMos
BrahMos, with its speed of approximately Mach 2.8, is considered one of the world's fastest (if not the fastest) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile currently in operational service. Most Western cruise missiles like the Harpoon and Tomahawk are subsonic (below Mach 1). BrahMos's supersonic speed makes interception extremely difficult.