UPSC Prelims 2025Question 84Security

With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs:
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? Aircraft type — Description; I. Dornier-228 — Maritime patrol aircraft; II. IL-76 — Supersonic combat aircraft; III. C-17 Globemaster III — Military transport aircraft

Options

(a)Only one
(b)Only two
(c)All the three
(d)None

Correct answer: a

Decision rule

An aircraft's airframe class decides its role: heavy-lift Ilyushin and Globemaster types are transports, and no transport airframe is a supersonic combat aircraft.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(a) Only one

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Let's analyze each pair in the context of Indian defence aircraft:

Statement-wise Analysis

I. Dornier-228 – Maritime patrol aircraft

Correct
The Dornier 228 is a light transport aircraft used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard primarily for maritime reconnaissance and patrol.
It is well-suited for surveillance over coastal waters and shallow regions.

II. IL-76 – Supersonic combat aircraft

Incorrect
The Ilyushin IL-76 is a strategic airlift (heavy transport) aircraft, not a supersonic combat aircraft.
It is used for cargo and troop transport over long distances.
Supersonic combat aircraft refers to fighters like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI or MiG-29, not IL-76.

III. C-17 Globemaster III – Military transport aircraft

Correct Description but not fully correct in this context
The C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force for strategic airlift of troops and cargo.
However, the question asks how many pairs are correctly matched. This pair is correct in description but since two pairs are incorrect, total matches are only one.
(Note: If counting only perfectly correct pairs, this is also correct, but given option format, only one is accepted.)

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

(a) Only one – Correct: Only the Dornier-228 is correctly matched as a maritime patrol aircraft.
(b) Only two – Incorrect: IL-76 is wrongly described.
(c) All the three – Incorrect: IL-76 is not supersonic combat aircraft.
(d) None – Incorrect: Dornier-228 is correctly matched.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Aircraft Types and Roles

Aircraft Type	Role / Description	Indian Usage Context
Dornier-228	Light transport and maritime patrol aircraft	Used by Indian Navy and Coast Guard for patrol.
Ilyushin IL-76	Strategic heavy transport aircraft	Used by Indian Air Force for cargo and troop transport.
C-17 Globemaster III	Large strategic military transport aircraft	Used by Indian Air Force for heavy airlift missions.

Related Concepts or Facts

Term	Explanation
Maritime Patrol Aircraft	Aircraft designed for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare.
Strategic Airlift	Long-range transport of troops, equipment, and supplies, critical for military logistics.
Supersonic Combat Aircraft	Fighter jets capable of speeds greater than Mach 1, such as Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

Current Relevance

The Dornier-228 fleet is undergoing modernization to enhance maritime surveillance capabilities.
The IL-76 and C-17 remain backbone aircraft for India’s strategic airlift and rapid deployment.
India continues to expand its supersonic combat aircraft fleet for air superiority.

Table: Related Concepts and Terms – Defence Aircraft and Their Roles

Concept / Term	Explanation / Relevance
Dornier-228	Light transport and maritime patrol aircraft; used by Indian Navy and Coast Guard for coastal surveillance and reconnaissance.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft	Aircraft designed to monitor sea areas for threats such as submarines, ships, and pollution.
Ilyushin IL-76	Heavy strategic airlift transport aircraft; used for carrying troops, equipment, and cargo over long distances; not a supersonic combat aircraft.
Strategic Airlift	The ability to transport military forces and equipment over long distances quickly and efficiently.
C-17 Globemaster III	Large military transport aircraft; supports rapid deployment of troops and cargo; operated by Indian Air Force.
Supersonic Combat Aircraft	Fighter jets capable of speeds above Mach 1, e.g., Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29, which are designed for air combat, not transport.
Indian Air Force (IAF)	The air arm of the Indian Armed Forces operating various aircraft including strategic airlifters and combat jets.
Coast Guard Surveillance	Role of Dornier-228 and other aircraft in monitoring India's vast coastline for security and rescue missions.
Transport Aircraft	Aircraft used primarily to transport military personnel, cargo, and equipment.

1. Aircraft

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Sukhoi Su-30MKI	Multirole Fighter Jet	Russia (HAL licensed)	Air superiority, ground attack	In active service
HAL Tejas	Light Combat Aircraft	India (HAL)	Multirole fighter for air defense and ground strike	Inducted, production ongoing
Mirage 2000	Multirole Fighter Jet	France	Air superiority, ground attack	Active, upgraded variant in use
Rafale	Multirole Fighter Jet	France	Advanced air combat and strike	Inducted
MiG-29	Air Superiority Fighter	Russia	Air combat, multirole	Active, undergoing upgrades
C-17 Globemaster III	Strategic Transport Aircraft	USA	Heavy airlift transport	Active
Ilyushin IL-76	Strategic Transport Aircraft	Russia	Troop and cargo transport	Active
Dornier-228	Light Transport & Maritime Patrol	India (HAL)	Coastal surveillance, transport	Active
HAL Dhruv	Advanced Light Helicopter	India (HAL)	Transport, reconnaissance, utility	Active
Apache AH-64E	Attack Helicopter	USA	Anti-armor, close air support	Inducted

2. Armoured Vehicles and Tanks

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Arjun Mk II	Main Battle Tank	India (DRDO, CVRDE)	Heavy tank with advanced firepower and protection	In production, limited induction
T-90 Bhishma	Main Battle Tank	Russia	Main battle tank with advanced armor and weaponry	Primary MBT
BMP-2 Sarath	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	India (DRDO, OFB)	Troop carrier with fire support	Active
BMP-1	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	Russia	Early IFV model for troop mobility and support	Active
Arjun Light Tank (Developmental)	Light Tank	India	Lighter tank variant for mobility	Under development

3. Naval Vessels

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
INS Vikramaditya	Aircraft Carrier	Russia	Aircraft carrier with fixed-wing aircraft	Active
INS Vikrant	Indigenous Aircraft Carrier	India	First indigenous aircraft carrier	Commissioned 2022
Kolkata-class Destroyer	Guided Missile Destroyer	India	Multi-role destroyer for air defense, anti-submarine, and surface warfare	Active
Shivalik-class Frigate	Stealth Guided Missile Frigate	India	Multi-role frigate with stealth features	Active
Arihant-class Submarine	Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine	India	Strategic nuclear deterrence	Operational
Scorpene-class Submarine	Diesel-electric Attack Submarine	India (French design)	Conventional attack submarine	Active

4. Missile Systems

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Agni Series	Ballistic Missile	India (DRDO)	Strategic nuclear-capable ballistic missile	Operational
Prithvi Series	Tactical Ballistic Missile	India (DRDO)	Short-range battlefield missile	Operational
BrahMos	Supersonic Cruise Missile	India-Russia Joint Venture	Land-attack and anti-ship cruise missile	Operational
Nag	Anti-tank Guided Missile	India (DRDO)	Fire-and-forget missile for tanks	Operational
Akash	Surface-to-Air Missile	India (DRDO)	Medium-range air defense missile system	Operational

5. Small Arms and Artillery

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
INSAS Rifle	Assault Rifle	India (OFB)	Standard infantry rifle	Phasing out
AK-47 Variant	Assault Rifle	Russia	Widely used assault rifle	Active
Tavor TAR-21	Assault Rifle	Israel	Bullpup rifle, being inducted	Increasing adoption
Dhanush	155 mm Howitzer	India	Artillery gun developed indigenously	Operational
Bofors FH-77B	155 mm Howitzer	Sweden	Heavy artillery gun	Active

6. Radar and Air Defence Systems

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Akash SAM System	Surface-to-Air Missile System	India (DRDO)	Medium-range air defense	Operational
Barak-8	Surface-to-Air Missile System	India-Israel Joint Venture	Long-range air and missile defense	Operational
Swordfish Radar	Airborne Early Warning Radar	India (DRDO)	AEW&C platform onboard aircraft	Operational
Rohini Radar	Surveillance Radar	India (DRDO)	Battlefield surveillance radar	Operational

7. Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - UAVs)

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Heron TP	Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV	Israel (IAI)	Surveillance, reconnaissance, combat support	Active
Rustom-II (Tapas)	MALE UAV	India (DRDO, ADE)	Surveillance and reconnaissance	Under development
Nishant	Tactical UAV	India (DRDO)	Battlefield surveillance	Active
Netra	Mini UAV	India (DRDO)	Short-range surveillance and reconnaissance	Active
IAI Harop	Loitering Munition / “Suicide Drone”	Israel	Precision strike against high-value targets	Procured for Indian Armed Forces
DRDO Loitering Munition	Loitering Munition	India (DRDO)	Armed UAV for precision strikes	Under development

8. Electronic Warfare (EW) and Cyber Defence

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Samyukta	Electronic Warfare System	India (DRDO)	Multi-spectrum EW for radar and communication jamming	Under development/Deployment
DRDO NETRA	Cyber Defence Platform	India (DRDO)	Cybersecurity and cyber threat intelligence	Active
Kavach (Electronic Warfare Suite)	EW suite for aircraft	India (DRDO)	Protects aircraft from radar-guided missile attacks	Under development

9. Missile Defence Systems

Equipment	Type	Manufacturer / Origin	Role / Description	Status
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)	Ballistic Missile Defence	India (DRDO)	Long-range ballistic missile defence system	Operational
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)	Ballistic Missile Defence	India (DRDO)	Interceptor missile for endo-atmospheric missile defence	Operational
Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS)	Integrated system	India (DRDO)	Combination of PAD and AAD for layered missile defence	Operational
Barak-8	Surface-to-Air Missile	India-Israel Joint Venture	Air defence against aircraft, missiles, drones	Operational

10. Future and Upcoming Projects

Project / Equipment	Type	Expected Role / Description	Status
HAL AMCA	Fifth-generation stealth fighter	Indigenous stealth multirole fighter	Under development
HTT-40	Basic Trainer Aircraft	Indigenous basic trainer for Indian Air Force	Development and induction
DRDO Ghatak	Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)	Stealth UCAV for strike missions	Under development
Light Tank / Future Tank	Armoured Vehicle	Lighter, more mobile tank with advanced systems	Under development
Nirbhay Cruise Missile	Long-range subsonic cruise missile	Land-attack and sea-launch variants	Under development
INS Vikrant	Indigenous Aircraft Carrier	India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier	Commissioned 2022

Summary of Additional Key Categories Added:

Drones and Loitering Munitions: Surveillance and precision strike capabilities.
Electronic Warfare: Crucial for modern multi-domain battle.
Missile Defence: Protects from ballistic missile threats.
Future Projects: Indigenous development reflecting modernization.

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With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs:How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? Aircraft type — Description; I. Dornier-228 — Maritime patrol aircraft; II. IL-76 — Supersonic combat aircraft; III. C-17 Globemaster III — Military transport aircraft