AFCAT Defense Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the operational range of India's Prithvi-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile?
- 350 km (Correct answer)
- 150 km
- 500 km
- 700 km
Correct answer: 350 km
Prithvi-II has a range of approximately 350 km and can carry a warhead of up to 500 kg.
Question 2: Which international organization publishes the annual 'Military Balance' report on global defense?
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (Correct answer)
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
- NATO
- United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Correct answer: International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) publishes 'The Military Balance,' an annual assessment of global military capabilities.
Question 3: The Indian Air Force's 'Tejas' Light Combat Aircraft is manufactured by which company?
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) (Correct answer)
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
- DRDO
- Mahindra Defence
Correct answer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Tejas is designed by DRDO's ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Question 4: Which exercise is the largest annual naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy?
- TROPEX (Correct answer)
- MALABAR
- MILAN
- INDRA NAVY
Correct answer: TROPEX
TROPEX (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise) is the largest biennial exercise conducted by the Indian Navy to validate combat readiness.
Question 5: The Aksai Chin region, disputed between India and China, is administered by which country?
- China (Correct answer)
- India
- Both under joint administration
- Neither — it is demilitarized
Correct answer: China
Aksai Chin is currently administered by China but claimed by India as part of the Ladakh region.
Question 6: Which term describes the military strategy of using proxy forces to fight wars without direct state involvement?
- Proxy warfare (Correct answer)
- Asymmetric warfare
- Hybrid warfare
- Insurgency
Correct answer: Proxy warfare
Proxy warfare involves a state supporting non-state or third-party actors to fight on its behalf without direct military engagement.
Question 7: India's 'Cold Start Doctrine' is a military strategy primarily directed against which threat scenario?
- Rapid conventional response against Pakistan (Correct answer)
- Nuclear first-strike capability against China
- Counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir
- Maritime blockade in the Indian Ocean
Correct answer: Rapid conventional response against Pakistan
Cold Start Doctrine is an Indian Army strategy for rapid mobilization and offensive operations against Pakistan below the nuclear threshold.
AFCAT Defense Knowledge 5
What is the operational range of India's Prithvi-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile?