| Twenty-one years after Trishul was first flight-tested in 1985 and after nearly 70 developmental flights, it is still not operational. |
| Envisaged as a fast-moving, multi-role, surface-to-air missile having a range of 9 km and a capability for quick reaction, it was powered by solid propellants, guided by radars and could be launched from the ground to destroy low-flying helicopters and aircraft. |
| It was also designed to be launched from aircraft or ships and the naval version was to have a sea-skimming role as well, useful for engaging the enemy's anti-ship missiles. |
| Trishul was part of the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), which was sanctioned on July 26, 1983. Although the DRDO claims it has gained valuable experience designing it, the services have become impatient waiting for it for so many years. |
| With the defence minister clarifying that it has been given an extension and not scrapped, there is hope for the indigenous missile system. |
| "The DRDO had sought approval for extension of the programme and I have given my approval on 29 September," he told reporters here. |
| Maintaining that there was "no question of shelving the project," Mukherjee told newsmen on the sidelines of the naval commanders conference that some "confusion" had arisen as the project's completion date was to be over by December 2006. |
| "That was an old decision," the defence minister said pointing out that DRDO had been allowed to go ahead with the project, which has been dogged by repeated failures in missile guidance and control systems. |
| Yesterday, unnamed officials had said the government intended to close down the Trishul project. Meanwhile, a defence ministry spokesman said all trials of the Trishul missile had been completed and a decision would be announced later. |
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