Four test-firings later, Trishul yet to find its target

In fact, despite media reports claiming success in the four test-firings since Friday from the Chandipur Integrated Test Range, the Trishul did not even take off due to launcher problems on the first day.

While, on Sunday, the missile took-off but fell much short of its range of 8-10 km, on Monday the third test-firing also proved to be a failure although the missile did take-off.

Part of the DRDO’s ambitious integrated guided missile programme, Trishul is dogged by command, guidance and accuracy problems. Although the Rs 300 crore Trishul missile programme was said to be shelved by the Government, it is now being tested as a technology demonstrator in the hope that some successful parameters of the missile can be used in other ongoing missile programmes.

But with all four test-firings failing to meet key trial specifications its role as technology demonstrator is also under a cloud. It is learnt that till early last week the MoD had decided to shelve the programme. However, a decision was taken later to conduct a few more tests of the ill-fated missile.

Defence Minister George Fernandes, admitting in Parliament that it had been ‘‘de-linked’’ from user service, said: ‘‘Trishul surface-to-air missile is being progressed as technology demonstrator, de-linking from user service. While number of complex technologies and sea-skimming capabilities have been established, the missile still needs to be proved for all its capabilities. These technologies will be useful in future missile projects.’’

Even DRDO chief Dr V.K. Atre has been quoted in media reports stating that the Trishul was a ‘‘closed project’’ and was ‘‘out of the reckoning for induction.’’ Atre also said that the three services had been allowed to import missiles of this class.