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Iranian missile and drone attacks have caused damage to US military assets stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Among the damaged assets are at least six KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft.
The United States has also reportedly lost a minimum of twelve MQ-9 Reaper drones since the onset of the conflict.
These incidents underscore the escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran in the Middle East region.
Understanding the types of military hardware involved in conflicts is crucial for competitive exams. KC-135 Stratotanker is a strategic aerial refueling aircraft, extending the range and endurance of other military planes. The MQ-9 Reaper is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. Missiles are broadly categorized into Ballistic (follows a parabolic trajectory, unpowered for most flight) and Cruise (flies at constant altitude, powered throughout, can maneuver). Drones, or UAVs, are remotely piloted or autonomously flown aircraft, increasingly vital in modern warfare for various roles from surveillance to combat.
Simple Analogy: Think of a KC-135 like a flying gas station for fighter jets, allowing them to travel much farther. An MQ-9 Reaper is like a remote-controlled, armed scout plane. A ballistic missile is like throwing a stone very high and far, letting gravity do most of the work, while a cruise missile is like a small, fast, self-flying plane that navigates to its target.
Maintains a global military presence, including strategic bases in the Middle East, to protect US interests and allies.
A major branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, responsible for Iran's missile and drone programs and often involved in regional proxy conflicts.
The Prince Sultan Air Base is a critical US military installation located in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, southeast of the capital Riyadh. Its strategic location in the Arabian Peninsula makes it a key hub for US operations in the Middle East, particularly for projecting power and supporting regional allies. Saudi Arabia shares borders with several countries, including Yemen, where Houthi rebels (backed by Iran) are active, making the base vulnerable to regional threats. Iran, situated across the Persian Gulf, is a major regional power with significant geopolitical influence.
GS-II International Relations (Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests); GS-III Security (Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate, Defence technology).
General Knowledge (Defence, International Affairs, Geography), Current Affairs.
General Awareness (Current Affairs, Geography, International Organizations).
General Awareness (Current Affairs, International News).
General Awareness (Current Affairs, Geography).
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?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a surface-to-surface missile. 2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. 3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 1 only
Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media?
Answer: A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
High, especially for UPSC and Defence exams, due to its relevance to international security, defence technology, and geopolitics.
US Air Force aerial refueling aircraft.
US Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for reconnaissance and strike.
Strategic US military base in Saudi Arabia.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, commonly known as a drone.
Missile following a parabolic trajectory, largely unpowered after launch.
Missile that flies at a constant altitude, powered throughout its flight, capable of maneuvering.