Defence
Bagram Air Base is located in:
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Answer: Option A — Afghanistan
Detailed Solution
Bagram Air Base is located in the Parwan province of Afghanistan, about 60 km north of the capital, Kabul.
About Bagram Air Base:
It is located near the ancient city of Bagram (ancient Kapisa), which was an important centre in the Kushan period. Archaeologists found the famous "Begram ivories" (carved ivory plaques from India) there.
It was originally built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s.
During the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), it was the main base of the Soviet forces.
After the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 (following the 11 September attacks), it became the largest US military base in Afghanistan.
It could hold more than 10,000 troops at its peak and had two long runways.
It included a detention facility, known as "Parwan Detention Facility", which was criticised by human rights groups.
US and NATO forces left Bagram on 2 July 2021, during their withdrawal from Afghanistan. They left at night without informing the new Afghan commander.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, including Bagram.
In 2025, the US government spoke about the possibility of regaining access to Bagram, but the Taliban rejected this.
The war in Afghanistan:
- The US invasion in October 2001 overthrew the first Taliban government, which had sheltered al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
- NATO led the "International Security Assistance Force" (ISAF) from 2003 to 2014.
- The "Doha Agreement" between the USA and the Taliban was signed in February 2020.
- The withdrawal was completed on 30 August 2021, ending the USA's longest war (about 20 years).
India's role:
- India did not send troops but provided large-scale development aid.
- India helped train Afghan security forces and gave Mi-25/35 helicopters.
- India evacuated its citizens and others from Kabul in August 2021 under "Operation Devi Shakti".
Other foreign military bases in Central Asia:
- Manas Air Base (Kyrgyzstan): used by the USA from 2001 to 2014.
- Ayni Air Base (Tajikistan): India helped renovate it in the 2000s.
- Farkhor Air Base (Tajikistan).
Why not the other options?
- ✗Iraq has bases such as Al Asad and Balad.
- ✗Pakistan has its own air bases, such as Shahbaz (Jacobabad), used by the USA after 2001.
- ✗Kyrgyzstan had the Manas Air Base used by the USA.
Quick tip
Remember: Bagram Air Base = Parwan, Afghanistan (near Kabul; built by the Soviets; largest US base till July 2021); US withdrawal from Afghanistan = August 2021; Operation Devi Shakti = India's evacuation; Ayni = Tajikistan.
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Defence Technology & Missiles — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Defence Technology & Missiles, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's defence technology: the missiles developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and later, their types and ranges, DRDO, defence equipment such as aircraft, tanks, submarines and warships, and military exercises with other countries. Common questions ask what type a missile is (Prithvi is surface-to-surface, Akash is surface-to-air, and Nag is anti-tank), which missile was developed with Russia (BrahMos), and which countries take part in a joint exercise. Lists of exercises and newly inducted equipment change often, so check current affairs as well. Practise the defence technology and missiles questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.