Nuclear, INIP - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   India has become able to carry out strikes on land, air and sea following the induction of India’s first indigenously constructed nuclear submarine. What is it called?

a. INS Surya
b. INS Kiran
c. INS Kiran
d. INS Arihant
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: INS Arihant

Explanation:
India on 18th Oct 2016 completed its nuclear triad by inducting the nation’s first indigenously constructed nuclear submarine INS Arihant into service

  • This submarine was formally commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in August 2016
  • This is the lead ship of India’s Arihant class of nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines
  • The 6000 tonne vessel is created under the Advanced Technology Vessel project at the Ship Building Centre in the port city of Vizag
  • It was launched on 26th July 2009 the anniversary of Kargil War Victory Day/Vijay Diwas by the PM of India at that time, Manmohan Singh
  • After fitting out and extensive sea trials on 23rd February 2016, Arihant was confirmed as ready for operations and was commissioned in August 2016
  • it is the first of the expected five in the class of submarines designed and constricted as part of the Indian Naval ATV project
  • A nuclear triad is the nuclear weapons delivery of a strategic nuclear arsenal consisting of three components: strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine launched ballistic missiles
  • Having a three pronged nuclear capability reduces the chance that the enemy could destroy nuclear forces of the nation in a first strike attack
  • This trial ensures a credible threat of the second strike, increasing the nuclear deterrence of the nation


2)   What is Hinkley Point?

a. Cliff in southwest England
b. Energy project in Southwest England
c. Engineering project in Southwest England
d. Nuclear power plant in Southwest England
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Nuclear power plant in Southwest England

Explanation:
British government on 15th Sept approved the construction of UK’s first new nuclear power plant in more than two decades.

  • This French and Chinese backed project has prompted high level fears regarding national security
  • The decision has been made to proceed with the 18 billion pound plant in SW England.
  • Future foreign funded infrastructure projects will be subject to tighter rules
  • Plant will be financed by Chinese nuclear power provider CGN and French Energy Group EDF
  • China and France welcomed the approval heralding a “golden era” of ties
  • Under the deal, EDF will not be able to sell controlling stake in the project before completion without British approval
  • France’s nuclear industry has been struggling in recent years as the industry leaned towards renewables and away from costly nuclear plants notably in the wake of 2011 Fukushima accident
  • Trade unions and manufacturers in Britain also welcomed the deal, saying it could create close to 25,000 jobs
  • Nuclear power supplies about 20 percent of Britain’s energy, but no new reactors have been built since the 1990s
  • Hinkley Point project will cut GHG emissions which must fall by 80 percent on 1990 levels by 2050
  • Opposition criticised the deal’s guarantee to operators of fixed above market electricity price for 35 years


3)   Which country conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test in September 2016?

a. North Korea
b. South Korea
c. China
d. Japan
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: North Korea

Explanation:
North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test on September 9, 2016 setting off a blast more powerful than a bomb triggered in Hiroshima.

  • The warhead can be mounted on a ballistic missile.
  • Its most powerful explosion to date follows a test in January prompting the UN Security Council to impose tightened sanctions that increased North Korea’s isolation but failed to prevent it from accelerating weapons development.
  • Both South Korea and the US have criticised the move
  • China, once a major diplomatic ally of North Korea, said it was opposed to the test and urged Pyongyang to stop taking actions to worsen the situation
  • North Korea which labels the South and the US as its main enemies indicated scientists and technicians carried out nuclear explosion test for judgement of the power of a nuclear warhead as per a report from the official KCNA news agency
  • Claims of being able to miniaturise a nuclear warhead have not been independently verified
  • N.Korea has been testing missiles at an unprecedented rate and the capability to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile is worrisome for neighbouring countries South Korea and Japan.
  • Standardisation of the nuclear warhead will enable DPRK to produce at will and as many as it wants a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power
  • Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada indicated Pyongyang regime’s advances in mobile ballistic technology posed a massive threat to Japan.
  • North Korea’s nuclear test coincided with the anniversary of the 1948 foundation as a republic
  • The continued testing despite sanctions presents a severe challenge to Obama in the final months of his presidency.
  • It could become a factor in the US Presidential election in November
  • Sanctions have already been imposed on everything possible so the policy is at an impasse
  • Japan’s Abe indicated that a nuclear test could not be tolerated
  • China’s environment ministry began emergency radiation monitoring along its borders with North Korea in NE China according to state television
  • Highest estimates of seismic magnitude indicate this was the most powerful test conducted by N.Korea so far