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Which Indian missile is a short-to-medium-range surface-to-air missile system?
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Answer: Option B — Akash
Detailed Solution
Akash (meaning "sky") is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed to protect important areas and moving army formations from air attacks by fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles.
Akash was one of the five missiles of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), launched in 1983 under the leadership of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The five missiles were:
Prithvi: short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Agni: medium- to long-range ballistic missiles.
Akash: medium-range surface-to-air missile.
Trishul: short-range surface-to-air missile (later closed).
Nag: third-generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank guided missile.
The Akash system can engage several targets at the same time, using its Rajendra phased-array radar. The original Akash has a range of about 25-30 kilometres and can hit targets flying at altitudes up to about 18 kilometres. It uses a ramjet-rocket propulsion system, which allows it to keep its speed throughout its flight. Newer versions include Akash Prime and Akash-NG (New Generation), which has a longer range of up to about 70 kilometres. The system is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and is in service with both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. It was also used in air defence during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Akash has been approved for export, and Armenia became one of its first foreign buyers.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Agni is a series of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles; Agni-V has a range of more than 5,000 km.
- ✗Prithvi is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- ✗Nirbhay is a long-range subsonic cruise missile.
Quick tip
Remember: IGMDP (1983) = Prithvi, Agni, Akash (surface-to-air), Trishul and Nag (anti-tank). Akash = Rajendra radar; Akash-NG has a longer range.
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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.