Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: INS Vikramaditya
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Aircraft carriers are key assets for any blue water navy, and the Indian Navy relies on its sole operational aircraft carrier to project air power at sea. This question checks knowledge of current affairs and defence infrastructure by asking which Indian Navy aircraft carrier received a marine hydraulic system to enhance air operations for the first time. Recognising the correct ship helps students connect defence news with broader strategic capabilities of India.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- India had only one operational aircraft carrier at the time referred to in the question.
- A marine hydraulic system was installed on this ship to improve air operations such as aircraft launch and recovery support systems.
- The options include several well known Indian naval vessels, but only one matches the description of the then operational aircraft carrier.
Concept / Approach:
The concept tested is simple factual recall of defence related current affairs. After the decommissioning of INS Viraat, India operated INS Vikramaditya as its only active aircraft carrier. INS Vikrant was still undergoing trials or under construction at the time, while INS Tarini is a sailing vessel and not an aircraft carrier. Therefore, the candidate should recall that INS Vikramaditya, a modified Kiev class carrier acquired from Russia, was the ship on which the new marine hydraulic system was installed to support more efficient aircraft handling and deck operations.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which ship was the sole operational aircraft carrier of India during the period referenced. That ship was INS Vikramaditya.
Step 2: Remember defence news where a marine hydraulic system was mentioned as being fitted to improve air operations and deck equipment on the carrier.
Step 3: Examine the options. INS Vikrant was under construction or trials, INS Tarini is a sail training boat, and INS Viraat had been decommissioned.
Step 4: Conclude that only INS Vikramaditya fits the description given in the question.
Verification / Alternative check:
An additional check is to match each name with its type. INS Viraat was a carrier but retired, INS Vikrant in its modern form was not fully in service at that time, and INS Tarini is known for all women circumnavigation missions, not for carrier operations. Because the question clearly says "only operational aircraft carrier", INS Vikramaditya is the only consistent answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
INS Vikrant: A modern indigenous carrier, but it was not yet fully operational as the only carrier at the time of this news, so it does not match the description.
INS Tarini: A sailing vessel used for training and expeditions, not an aircraft carrier, so the marine hydraulic system for air operations does not apply here.
INS Viraat: This was an earlier aircraft carrier, but it was decommissioned, so it could not be the only operational carrier mentioned in the question.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners may confuse INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya due to similar sounding names or may not track the service status of each vessel. Another common error is to select decommissioned ships because they remember them from older textbooks. It is important to update defence knowledge with recent developments, especially about major platforms like aircraft carriers.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the Indian Navy carrier fitted with the marine hydraulic system is INS Vikramaditya.
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