Consider the following statements :
- 1.Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
- 2.Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: D. Statement 1 is wrong: it is reversed. Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase and then follow a free-falling path, while cruise missiles are jet-powered throughout flight. Statement 2 is wrong: Agni-V is a long-range (about 5,000 km) ballistic missile, while BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile. So neither.
Watch for: Both statements swap correct descriptions between two items.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because the ballistic and cruise descriptions are reversed.
- B. Wrong because Agni-V and BrahMos are swapped.
- C. Wrong because both statements are false.
Source to check: DRDO website (Agni series and BrahMos); BrahMos Aerospace website
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.