India tests anti-aircraft missile for fourth time in as many days

BHUBANESWAR, India (AFP) Jun 25, 2003
India on Wednesday fired a surface-to-air missile to gauge its accuracy for the fourth time in as many days, defence officials here said.

The homegrown Trishul (Trident) missile was launched from a national missile range in the eastern state of Orissa at 1:45 pm (0815 GMT), they said.

Wednesday's launch of the Trishul, India's version of the US-made Patriot missile, was the fourth since Sunday.

The missile -- one of five developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation since 1983 -- is powered by solid fuel and can deliver a 15-kilogram (33-pound) warhead up to nine kilometres (five miles) away.

The missile is being developed for the army, navy and air force.

The tests come amid reports the Indian government was scrapping the development of the Trishul as its guidance system did not work.

SPACE.WIRE