Correct Option (d)
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect.
- Ballistic missiles are primarily rocket-propelled, typically powered only during their initial flight phase to achieve a high altitude and velocity. They then follow a parabolic, unpowered trajectory, re-entering the atmosphere at supersonic or hypersonic speeds.
- Cruise missiles, conversely, are jet-propelled (using turbofan, turbojet, or ramjet engines) and are powered throughout most of their flight. They fly within the atmosphere, maintaining a relatively constant altitude and speed, which can be subsonic or supersonic. The statement incorrectly attributes jet propulsion and subsonic speeds to ballistic missiles and limits cruise missile propulsion to only the initial phase.
Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Agni-V is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), not a cruise missile. It is a solid-fuelled missile designed for strategic deterrence with a range of approximately 5,000-5,500 km.
- BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile, not a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. It is a ramjet-powered missile with a range typically around 290-400 km (with extended variants under development), known for its precision strike capability.
Since both statements 1 and 2 are factually incorrect, option (d) is the correct choice.
Incorrect Options
Option (a) is incorrect because Statement 1 contains factual inaccuracies regarding missile propulsion and flight characteristics.
Option (b) is incorrect because Statement 2 misidentifies the types and characteristics of Agni-V and BrahMos missiles.
Option (c) is incorrect as both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are factually incorrect.