Daily Current Affairs : 4-July-2024
India has carried out a significant milestone with the successful test-firing of its first indigenous anti-radiation missile, ‘Rudram-1’. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), this missile represents a major advancement in India’s defense capabilities.
What is Rudram-1?
Rudram-1 is an air-to-surface anti-radiation missile specifically designed to target enemy radar and other radiation-emitting systems. It is launched from the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, improving the IAF’s ability to effectively suppress enemy air defenses. Key features of Rudram-1 include:
- INS-GPS Navigation: This ensures precise targeting, guiding the missile to its intended target with high accuracy.
- Passive Homing Head: The missile uses a passive seeker to detect radiation signals, allowing it to target enemy radar systems even when they are not actively searching for threats.
- Effective Range: Rudram-1 has an operational range that spans from 500 meters to 15 kilometers in altitude and can travel up to 250 kilometers in distance.
This missile significantly enhances India’s air defense strategy by neutralizing critical enemy installations and boosting the IAF’s overall operational effectiveness.
Types of Missiles Used by the Indian Military
India’s military employs a variety of missiles to strengthen its defense capabilities. Here is a breakdown of some of the key missile types:
- Ballistic Missiles:
- Agni Series, Prithvi: Long-range missiles capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads.
- Cruise Missiles:
- BrahMos, Nirbhay: These missiles are designed for precision strikes, with BrahMos being the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
- Anti-Tank Missiles:
- Nag, HELINA, MPATGM: These missiles are designed to destroy tanks and armored vehicles.
- Surface-to-Air Missiles:
- Akash, Barak-8: Used for air defense, intercepting and destroying enemy aircraft and missiles.
- Air-to-Air Missiles:
- Astra, Python-5: Fired from aircraft to target enemy aircraft.
- Anti-Ship Missiles:
- BrahMos, Dhanush: Used to target enemy naval vessels.
- Anti-Radiation Missiles:
- Rudram, NGARM: These are designed to detect and neutralize enemy radar and electronic systems.
- Surface-to-Surface Missiles:
- Prahaar, Shaurya: Short to medium-range missiles used to target enemy installations on the ground.
- Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs):
- K-15 Sagarika, K-4: These provide nuclear deterrence capabilities from submarines.
- Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS):
- Igla-S, Starstreak: Portable systems used to target low-flying aircraft and helicopters.
Important Points:
- Rudram-1 is India’s first indigenous anti-radiation missile, developed by DRDO for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- It is launched from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets and is designed to target enemy radar and radiation-emitting systems.
- Key Features of Rudram-1:
- INS-GPS Navigation for precise targeting.
- Passive Homing Head to detect and target radiation-emitting sources, even if they are not actively searching.
- Effective Range: Operational from 500 meters to 15 kilometers in altitude, with a range of up to 250 kilometers in distance.
- Impact: Enhances the IAF’s ability to suppress enemy air defenses and neutralize critical enemy installations.
Types of Missiles Used by the Indian Military:
- Ballistic Missiles: Agni Series, Prithvi (long-range, nuclear and conventional warheads).
- Cruise Missiles: BrahMos, Nirbhay (precision strikes, with BrahMos being the fastest supersonic cruise missile).
- Anti-Tank Missiles: Nag, HELINA, MPATGM (for destroying tanks and armored vehicles).
- Surface-to-Air Missiles: Akash, Barak-8 (air defense against enemy aircraft and missiles).
- Air-to-Air Missiles: Astra, Python-5 (for targeting enemy aircraft).
- Anti-Ship Missiles: BrahMos, Dhanush (to target naval vessels).
- Anti-Radiation Missiles: Rudram, NGARM (designed to neutralize enemy radar systems).
- Surface-to-Surface Missiles: Prahaar, Shaurya (short to medium-range missiles for targeting ground installations).
- Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs): K-15 Sagarika, K-4 (nuclear deterrence from submarines).
- Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS): Igla-S, Starstreak (portable systems for targeting low-flying aircraft).
Why In News
India has successfully test-fired its first indigenous anti-radiation missile, ‘Rudram-1’, marking a significant leap forward in the country’s defense capabilities and its efforts to enhance self-reliance in military technology. This successful test demonstrates India’s growing expertise in developing advanced weapons systems to strengthen its defense posture.
MCQs about Rudram-1
-
What is the primary purpose of the Rudram-1 missile?
A. To destroy tanks and armored vehicles
B. To target and neutralize enemy radar and radiation-emitting systems
C. To conduct precision air strikes
D. To intercept incoming ballistic missiles
-
Which Indian Air Force fighter jet is used to launch the Rudram-1 missile?
A. Tejas
B. Mirage 2000
C. Sukhoi-30MKI
D. MiG-21
-
What is one of the key features of the Rudram-1 missile?
A. It uses GPS only for navigation.
B. It has a range of 500 meters to 250 kilometers.
C. It can be launched from submarines.
D. It is designed to target only ground installations.
-
Which of the following missile types is used by the Indian military to target low-flying aircraft and helicopters?
A. Akash
B. BrahMos
C. MANPADS
D. Prithvi
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
