CAPF AC 2022 Q71: Defence & Security – Defence Technology
Consider the following statements:
1. Mirage 2000 is a twin-engine fighter jet.
2. HAL Tejas is a delta-winged fighter jet.
3. Rafale is a hypersonic fighter jet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force
How to think: check three things: number of engines, wing shape and speed class.
Hypersonic means faster than Mach 5; no fighter jet flies that fast.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mirage 2000 is a twin-engine jet | Wrong | It has a single engine |
| 2. HAL Tejas is a delta-winged jet | Correct | Tailless delta wing, single engine |
| 3. Rafale is a hypersonic jet | Wrong | It is supersonic, about Mach 1.8 |
IAF fighters at a glance:
| Aircraft | Origin | Engines |
|---|---|---|
| Tejas | India (HAL) | 1 |
| Mirage 2000 | France (Dassault) | 1 |
| Rafale | France (Dassault) | 2 |
| Su-30MKI | Russia | 2 |
| MiG-29 | Russia | 2 |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; the Mirage 2000 has one engine.
- (b) CORRECT. Only statement 2 is true: Tejas is a delta-winged fighter.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are both false.
- (d) Incorrect. Rafale is supersonic, not hypersonic.
Key point
Speed classes: subsonic (below Mach 1), supersonic (Mach 1 to 5), hypersonic (above Mach 5). Tejas: single-engine, delta-wing light combat aircraft. Mirage 2000: single engine, used in the Balakot strike. Rafale: twin engine, Mach 1.8.
Remember
Tejas: delta wing, one engine. Rafale: two engines, supersonic.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up supersonic and hypersonic.
- Thinking the Mirage 2000 is twin-engined like the Rafale.
- Forgetting that Tejas has a tailless delta wing.
Exam tip
Educated guess: hypersonic is a word used for missiles, not fighter jets. Remove every option with 3, then decide on 1: the Mirage 2000 is a light single-engine jet.
Sources
- Indian Air Force — Aircraft: Tejas, Mirage 2000, Rafale, Su-30MKI
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — Light Combat Aircraft Tejas