All questions of Defence Research in India for CDS Exam

Overview of the Astra Missile
The Astra missile is an advanced air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. Its primary purpose is to enhance the aerial combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

Purpose and Functionality
- Air-to-Air Engagement: The Astra is designed specifically for engaging enemy aircraft at varying ranges, making it a critical component of modern aerial warfare.
- Beyond Visual Range: With the ability to strike targets beyond visual range (BVR), it allows fighters to engage adversaries without being in close proximity, enhancing pilot safety and mission effectiveness.

Technical Features
- Guidance System: The missile employs a sophisticated inertial navigation system coupled with terminal active radar homing, ensuring high accuracy in targeting.
- Speed and Range: Capable of achieving supersonic speeds, the Astra can engage targets at distances of up to 110 km, depending on the variant and launch conditions.

Strategic Importance
- Enhancing Air Superiority: By equipping fighter jets with the Astra missile, India aims to bolster its air superiority in regional conflicts and deter potential threats.
- Integration with Platforms: The missile is designed to be compatible with various aircraft, including the Su-30MKI and the indigenous Tejas fighter, showcasing its versatility.
In summary, the Astra missile serves as a pivotal air-to-air weapon in India's defense arsenal, providing enhanced capabilities for air superiority and effective combat operations. Its advanced technology and strategic importance make it a key asset for the Indian Air Force.

Overview of INS Kalvari
INS Kalvari is a notable diesel-electric attack submarine in the Indian Navy, designed with advanced technology from French naval defense. Here’s a detailed explanation of its features and significance:
Design and Development
- INS Kalvari is part of the Scorpène-class submarines, which are designed jointly by France's DCNS (now Naval Group) and Spain's Navantia.
- The submarine features modern stealth capabilities, which significantly enhance its operational effectiveness.
Specifications
- Displacement: Approximately 1,600 tons when submerged.
- Length: 67.5 meters, with a beam of 6.2 meters.
- Speed: Can reach up to 20 knots when submerged and 11 knots on the surface.
Armament
- Armed with a variety of weapons including torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, the Kalvari is equipped to handle diverse maritime threats.
- It has six 533 mm torpedo tubes and can carry a combination of heavy weight torpedoes and missiles.
Significance
- INS Kalvari enhances India's undersea warfare capabilities and plays a crucial role in naval defense and deterrence.
- It is a part of the Indian Navy's strategy to bolster its maritime security and project power in the Indian Ocean Region.
Conclusion
INS Kalvari represents a significant advancement in India's naval technology, combining French design with Indian operational requirements. Its capabilities make it a vital asset in the Indian Navy's fleet, ensuring maritime security and readiness.

The Agni-IV missile is capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 4000 km. This intermediate-range ballistic missile extends India's strategic reach and is an important component of its missile arsenal. The Agni-I, Agni-II, and Agni-III have shorter or longer ranges respectively, with Agni-I having a shorter range and Agni-III being able to reach up to 6000 km.

Overview of the Agni-II Missile
The Agni-II missile is an integral part of India's strategic missile program, designed to enhance the country's defense capabilities.
Key Features of Agni-II
- Range: The Agni-II missile has an impressive range of 2000-3000 kilometers, classifying it as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
- Purpose: It is primarily developed for deterrence against regional threats and to ensure India's strategic autonomy.
- Launch System: The missile can be launched from a mobile platform, providing flexibility and reducing the chances of detection.
Technical Specifications
- Payload Capacity: Agni-II can carry a payload of approximately 1000 kg, which can include conventional or nuclear warheads.
- Guidance System: It employs advanced inertial navigation systems, ensuring high accuracy during its flight.
Strategic Importance
- Deterrence: The Agni-II plays a crucial role in India's deterrence strategy against potential adversaries, particularly in the context of regional security dynamics.
- Indigenous Development: It showcases India's indigenous technological capabilities in missile development, reflecting self-reliance in defense.
Conclusion
Given its range and capabilities, the Agni-II is indeed classified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, making option 'B' the correct answer in this context. Its strategic role and technical features underline its significance in India's defense framework.

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile with a speed of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. It is known for being the fastest cruise missile in operation and can be launched from multiple platforms including submarines, ships, aircraft, and land. The other types of missiles mentioned in the options serve different purposes, such as hypersonic or ballistic roles.

Overview of the Nag Missile
The Nag missile is classified as a "Fire-and-Forget" anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by India. This capability allows the missile to engage and destroy armored targets without requiring the operator to guide it after launch.

Key Features of the Nag Missile:

• Fire-and-Forget Technology: The Nag missile employs advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seeker technology, enabling it to autonomously track and engage targets once launched. This feature frees the operator from continuous control, enhancing survivability by allowing them to take cover or relocate.
• Range and Accuracy: The missile has an effective range of about 4 kilometers, making it suitable for various combat scenarios. Its precision targeting capabilities ensure minimal collateral damage, a crucial factor in modern warfare.
• Versatility: The Nag can be launched from various platforms, including ground vehicles, helicopters, and potentially from drones, making it a flexible asset in different operational environments.
• Advanced Guidance System: The missile uses a combination of guidance systems, including a lock-on-before-launch feature, ensuring it can engage moving and stationary targets effectively.
• Armor Penetration: The Nag missile is designed to penetrate the armor of modern tanks, making it a formidable weapon against contemporary armored threats.

Conclusion
The Nag missile's "Fire-and-Forget" capability, combined with its advanced technology, makes it a significant addition to India's defense arsenal, enhancing the country's anti-tank warfare capabilities in various scenarios.

The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is a multirole air superiority fighter aircraft developed by Russia and India. It is designed to perform a wide range of roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The other aircraft listed serve different functions, such as ground attack or are in development.

The Nirbhay missile has a range of 1000 km. It is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed to be launched from multiple platforms, including land, sea, and air. It is designed to provide India with a versatile strike capability. The other ranges listed correspond to different missile systems or versions.

INS Kadamba is the largest naval base of the Indian Navy, located near Karwar in Karnataka. It serves as a key strategic location for the Indian Navy's operations in the western coast of India. The other options are names of naval ships or submarines.

The Akash missile is a medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system capable of targeting aircraft up to 30 km away. It can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads, providing flexible defense capabilities. The other missiles listed have different roles or ranges.