Page 326 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

125. The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide
aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. UAVs can also be used as

unmanned combat aircraft or pilotless target aircraft. The IAF currently
uses the IAI Searcher II and IAI Heron for reconnaissance and

surveillance purposes. The IAI Harpy serves as an Unmanned Combat

Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) which is designed to attack radar systems. The
IAF also operates the DRDO Lakshya which serves as realistic towed

aerial sub-targets for live fire training.

Land-based Air Defence

126. Surface-to-air Missile Systems: The IAF currently operates the S-125

Pechora and the 9K33 Osa AK systems. The IAF is also currently
inducting the Akash medium- range surface-to-air missile system. A

total of 8 squadrons have been ordered so far.

127. Ballistic Missiles: The IAF currently operates the Prithvi-II Short-
Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM). The Prithvi-II is an IAF-specific

variant of the Prithvi ballistic missile.

128. Anti-ballistic Missile Systems: The S-300 SAM serves as an Anti-

Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) system in the IAF. The S-300 is also

able to detect, track, and destroy incoming cruise missiles and low-
flying aircraft.

Tejas

129. The Tejas is a multi-role light fighter developed by India. It is a tail-less,

compound delta wing design powered by a single engine. It came out
from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the

1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters. Later, the LCA was

officially named “Tejas”, meaning “radiance”, by then Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Tejas has a pure delta wing configuration,

with no tailplanes or foreplanes, and a single dorsal fin. It integrates