Trishul8217;s naval version tested

The naval version of Trishul, unlike the configuration already finalised for other services, has an additional sea skimming facility, permitting the missile to dip low and cruise only metres above the sea surface to destroy incoming anti-ship missiles.

The sources said future fighting ships of the Indian Navy would be equipped with Trishul systems, including a deck-mounted launcher with the missile stored directly beneath, in suitable magazines. The ship version of Trishul is integrated with state-of-art surveillance and tracking radars.

Senior scientists andpersonnel from the Defence Research Development Organisation DRDO, BDL, Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited BHEL and the Indian Navy participated in the launch.

The surface-to-air version of Trishul was last test-fired from Chandipur on-sea launch pad in Orissa on May 11, the day India conducted three underground nuclear tests at Pokhran. This version, which is also in the quick reaction8217; category, has a range of nine kms for engaging aerial targets. The missile had then been launched in Army8217;s required configuration using the Trishul combat vehicle8217; and had achieved the goals of programmed manoeuvring for the full design duration of the flight. User trial of this version of Trishul are expected to be completed this year.