CAPF AC 2022 Q48: Defence & Security – Defence Technology
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Cruise missile or ballistic missile
How to think: a ballistic missile is fired high up like a thrown stone and falls on its target.
A cruise missile flies low like an aircraft, powered all the way.
Sort the three missiles.
| Missile | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Agni-I | Ballistic | Surface-to-surface, range about 700 to 900 km |
| BrahMos | Cruise | Supersonic; India-Russia joint venture |
| Dhanush | Ballistic | Ship-launched version of Prithvi |
So only BrahMos is a cruise missile.
About BrahMos: the name joins the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.
It flies at nearly Mach 3 and can be fired from land, sea, air and submarines.
Other Indian cruise missile: Nirbhay, which is subsonic.
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Agni-I is a ballistic missile.
- (b) CORRECT. Only BrahMos is a cruise missile.
- (c) Incorrect. Both Agni-I and Dhanush are ballistic missiles.
- (d) Incorrect. Dhanush is the naval version of the ballistic missile Prithvi.
Key point
Ballistic: Agni series, Prithvi, Dhanush, K-4, K-15 (Sagarika), Shaurya, Prahaar. Cruise: BrahMos (supersonic), Nirbhay (subsonic). IGMDP missiles: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag.
Remember
BrahMos = cruise; Agni, Prithvi, Dhanush = ballistic.
Common mistakes
- Treating Dhanush as a cruise missile because it is fired from ships.
- Mixing up Dhanush the missile with Dhanush the artillery gun.
- Thinking every long-range missile is a cruise missile.
Exam tip
Educated guess: BrahMos is advertised everywhere as the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, so 2 is in. The Agni family is the textbook example of ballistic missiles, so any option with 1 is out.
Sources
- Defence Research and Development Organisation — Missiles and strategic systems (Agni, Prithvi, Dhanush)
- BrahMos Aerospace — BrahMos supersonic cruise missile