UPSC CDS-2

With reference to BrahMos missile, consider the following statements :

• 1. It has a flight range of up to 290 km.
• 2. It is capable of attaining a speed of 2.8 Mach.
• 3. Its cruising altitude could be up to 30 km.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”2 only” option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option1″]

Statement 1: The original BrahMos missile’s range was capped at 290 km primarily due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions, which applied before India became a member. This was a widely known characteristic for a long time.
Statement 2: BrahMos is known for its supersonic speed of Mach 2.8, making it one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world.
Statement 3: Cruise missiles like BrahMos are designed to fly at low altitudes (often tens of meters above the surface) to evade radar detection. While they can reach higher altitudes during certain flight phases, a cruising altitude of up to 30 km is not typical for a cruise missile like BrahMos; this altitude range is more characteristic of high-flying aircraft or ballistic missile trajectories.
Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, and statement 3 is incorrect.

– BrahMos is a joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya).
– It is a multi-platform missile, capable of being launched from land, sea, and air.
– Since India’s entry into the MTCR in 2016, the range of BrahMos has been successfully extended beyond 290 km in newer versions. However, statement 1 reflects the missile’s initial and long-standing characteristic range.

The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers: the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

The term ‘Thermal High Altitude Area Defense’, sometimes mentioned in news, refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”Anti-Missile system.” option2=”Air-launched cruise missile.” option3=”Aircraft navigation system.” option4=”Surface-to-air guided weapon.” correct=”option1″]

Thermal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an anti-ballistic missile system developed by the United States. It is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (when they are descending towards their target) within or outside the atmosphere.

– THAAD uses a “hit-to-kill” technology, meaning the interceptor missile destroys the incoming threat through kinetic energy upon direct impact.
– It is designed to defend against threats over a large area.

THAAD is part of the United States’ broader ballistic missile defense system. It is typically deployed to protect critical military and civilian sites.

P-75 I (or P-75 India) project refers to manufacture of

[amp_mcq option1=”Diesel-electric submarines.” option2=”Nuclear-powered submarines.” option3=”Aircraft carrier warships.” option4=”Field guns.” correct=”option1″]

The P-75 I project (Project 75 India) is a follow-on project to Project 75 of the Indian Navy, which involved the construction of six Scorpene-class submarines. P-75 I aims to acquire a new class of diesel-electric submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology to increase their underwater endurance.

– P-75 I is part of India’s plan to modernize its submarine fleet.
– The project emphasizes indigenous construction under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, often involving collaboration with foreign partners providing technology.

Diesel-electric submarines are also known as conventional submarines. AIP technology allows these submarines to operate submerged for longer periods than traditional diesel-electric submarines, reducing the need to surface or snorkel for air to recharge batteries.