With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs are correctly matched?

• Only one   
• Only two   
• All three   
• None   

Answer: (b) Only two   

• India’s defence forces operate a diverse fleet of aircraft, each serving specific roles such as surveillance, combat, and transportation.
• The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft utilized by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for maritime patrol, surveillance, search and rescue, and pollution control missions. Manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), it is equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems tailored for maritime operations.
• The Ilyushin Il-76 is a strategic airlifter, not a supersonic combat aircraft. Designed by the Soviet Union’s Ilyushin design bureau, it serves roles such as transporting heavy machinery, aerial refuelling, and emergency response. It is a four-engine turbofan aircraft capable of operating in rugged environments but lacks the speed and agility characteristic of supersonic combat aircraft.
• The C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) for the United States Air Force and also operated by the Indian Air Force. It is designed for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is capable of performing tactical airlift, medical evacuation, and airdrops, making it a versatile asset in military logistics.