UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO inks two major contracts with Industry partners as part of AEW&C MK-II programme

Q1. Under the July 2026 AIESL contract, the six A321 aircraft are to be converted from commercial to 'green' configuration. In this context, converting an aircraft to a 'green' configuration most precisely means:

  • A. Refitting the commercial cabin with fuel-efficient systems so that the airframe conforms to civil emission and noise norms
  • B. Converting the commercial airframe into a military-ready base airframe suitable for mission-system integration
  • C. Applying low-visibility grey camouflage paint and squadron markings to the delivered airframe
  • D. Flying the newly built airframe, still unpainted and un-fitted, from the factory to the fitment centre

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal DRDO laboratory steering the AEW&C MK-II programme (and its predecessor NETRA)?

  • A. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
  • B. Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS)
  • C. Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE)
  • D. Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE)

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the NETRA AEW&C system with the AEW&C MK-II: 1. NETRA is hosted on the Embraer EMB-145 platform, whereas the AEW&C MK-II will use the larger Airbus A321. 2. NETRA received Initial Operational Clearance in 2017 and Final Operational Clearance in 2026. 3. The A321-based MK-II adopts a smaller platform than NETRA, giving it reduced range and sensor payload. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NETRA is hosted on the Embraer EMB-145 platform, whereas the AEW&C MK-II will use the larger Airbus A321.
  2. NETRA received Initial Operational Clearance in 2017 and Final Operational Clearance in 2026.
  3. The A321-based MK-II adopts a smaller platform than NETRA, giving it reduced range and sensor payload.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. How many NETRA AEW&C aircraft (on the EMB-145 platform) were delivered to the Indian Air Force in Initial Operational Clearance configuration?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q5. Under the contract signed with AIESL on 22 July 2026, how many A321 aircraft are to be converted from commercial to military 'green' configuration for the AEW&C MK-II programme?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q6. With reference to the parties to the two AEW&C MK-II contracts signed on 22 July 2026, consider the following: 1. CABS, a laboratory under DRDO, signed both contracts. 2. AIESL, headquartered in New Delhi, is the airframe-conversion partner. 3. ADSTL, based in Ahmedabad, is the Development cum Production Partner for Mission Systems. 4. ADSTL is a subsidiary of the Tata group. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. CABS, a laboratory under DRDO, signed both contracts.
  2. AIESL, headquartered in New Delhi, is the airframe-conversion partner.
  3. ADSTL, based in Ahmedabad, is the Development cum Production Partner for Mission Systems.
  4. ADSTL is a subsidiary of the Tata group.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing the roles of the two industry partners in the AEW&C MK-II contracts: 1. AIESL is tasked with converting the A321 airframes to 'green' configuration. 2. AIESL is the Development cum Production Partner for the mission-system suite. 3. ADSTL (Adani Defence) is inducted as a co-development partner rather than merely a component vendor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. AIESL is tasked with converting the A321 airframes to 'green' configuration.
  2. AIESL is the Development cum Production Partner for the mission-system suite.
  3. ADSTL (Adani Defence) is inducted as a co-development partner rather than merely a component vendor.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Counting CABS together with the industry partners, how many distinct organisations are party to the two AEW&C MK-II contracts signed on 22 July 2026?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q9. Consider the following statements about DRDO's Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS): 1. CABS was established in 2012, the year the first EMB-145 aircraft was inducted. 2. CABS developed the indigenous AESA radar used in the AEW&C system. 3. CABS's early Airborne Surveillance Platform used an HS-748 aircraft, which was lost in a 1999 crash. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. CABS was established in 2012, the year the first EMB-145 aircraft was inducted.
  2. CABS developed the indigenous AESA radar used in the AEW&C system.
  3. CABS's early Airborne Surveillance Platform used an HS-748 aircraft, which was lost in a 1999 crash.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. With reference to DRDO's Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), consider the following: 1. CABS functions under DRDO, an R&D organisation of the Ministry of Defence. 2. CABS is headquartered at Bengaluru. 3. CABS is the only DRDO laboratory that works on any airborne or avionics systems. 4. CABS was established in 1991. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. CABS functions under DRDO, an R&D organisation of the Ministry of Defence.
  2. CABS is headquartered at Bengaluru.
  3. CABS is the only DRDO laboratory that works on any airborne or avionics systems.
  4. CABS was established in 1991.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding private-sector participation in the AEW&C MK-II programme under Aatmanirbhar Bharat: 1. Adani Defence (ADSTL) is inducted as a Development cum Production Partner, a role deeper than that of a conventional component vendor. 2. The Development cum Production Partner role is reserved exclusively for public-sector undertakings and bars private firms. 3. The AEW&C MK-II programme is aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat drive for indigenous defence aerospace. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Adani Defence (ADSTL) is inducted as a Development cum Production Partner, a role deeper than that of a conventional component vendor.
  2. The Development cum Production Partner role is reserved exclusively for public-sector undertakings and bars private firms.
  3. The AEW&C MK-II programme is aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat drive for indigenous defence aerospace.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to India's airborne early-warning platforms, consider the following: 1. The Phalcon AWACS is carried on the Il-76 heavy-transport aircraft. 2. The NETRA AEW&C is carried on the Airbus A321 platform. 3. The AEW&C MK-II is to be carried on the larger Airbus A321. 4. The Phalcon AWACS radar was indigenously developed by DRDO's CABS. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Phalcon AWACS is carried on the Il-76 heavy-transport aircraft.
  2. The NETRA AEW&C is carried on the Airbus A321 platform.
  3. The AEW&C MK-II is to be carried on the larger Airbus A321.
  4. The Phalcon AWACS radar was indigenously developed by DRDO's CABS.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 only