CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The correct answer is United States. Ministry of Defence of India and the US Department of Defence have signed a Project Agreement (PA) for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV). It has been signed under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

Detailed explanation-2: -Recently, the Indian Navy leased two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs from the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -Aim: It aims towards design, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation of systems to co-develop an ALUAV prototype. The PA for the ALUAV fell under the Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Memorandum of Agreement between MoD and US DoD. It was first signed in January 2006 and renewed in January 2015.

Detailed explanation-4: -India’s Ministry of Defence has signed a project agreement with the US Department of Defence for cooperation in the development of air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (ALUAV).

Detailed explanation-5: -The TAPAS 201 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV has achieved a significant milestone after undertaking a flight test lasting 18 hours at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. TAPAS 201 has been designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).