Consider the following statements : 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: D. NEITHER statement is correct. Statement 1 is WRONG. The descriptions of ballistic vs cruise missiles are INVERTED: - BALLISTIC missiles are ROCKET-PROPELLED only in the initial boost phase, after which they follow a ballistic (free-fall, gravity-only) trajectory through the atmosphere or space. They can travel at hypersonic speeds. - CRUISE missiles use JET ENGINES (turbojets or turbofans) for sustained powered flight at SUBSONIC OR SUPERSONIC speeds throughout their trajectory, flying at low altitudes like aircraft. The statement reverses this fundamental classification. Statement 2 is WRONG. The classifications are again INVERTED: - AGNI-V is a SOLID-FUELLED INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE (range 5,000+ km), not a supersonic cruise missile. - BRAHMOS is a SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE (range 290-800 km), not an ICBM. Developed jointly with Russia. Both statements swap the categories. Source: DRDO / Ministry of Defence missile development programmes documentation.