With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type : Description I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globe- : Military transport aircraft master III How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. A. Only one
2. B. Only two
3. C. All the three
4. D. None

Answer: B

Explanation

Let’s evaluate each pair: I. Dornier-228: This is a versatile twin-engine turboprop aircraft used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard primarily for maritime surveillance, patrol, and utility roles. So, ‘Maritime patrol aircraft’ is a correct description. II. IL-76: The Ilyushin Il-76 is a large, four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter, used for heavy cargo and troop transport. It is not a supersonic combat aircraft. So, this description is incorrect. III. C-17 Globemaster III: This is a large military transport aircraft developed by Boeing, used by the Indian Air Force for strategic and tactical airlift missions, including carrying heavy equipment and troops. So, ‘Military transport aircraft’ is a correct description. Therefore, two pairs (Dornier-228 and C-17 Globemaster III) are correctly matched. Knowledge of defense equipment and capabilities is important for UPSC, particularly in the context of national security and indigenous defense production.