India test fires surface-to-air missile
India test-fired its most sophisticated short-range missile in the east of the country today, a news agency reported.
The surface-to-air missile, named Trishul, with a range of 7.5 miles, was fired from a mobile launcher from India’s main testing centre in Chandipur-on-Sea in the eastern state of Orissa, Press Trust of India said.
Trishul can carry a warhead of up to 15 kilograms. Trishul means trident, the weapon favoured by Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
PTI said it was not immediately known whether the test was successful. Defence Ministry officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Powered by solid propellant, the Trishul missile has supersonic speed and is capable of targeting aircraft and sea-skimming missiles.
India and Pakistan routinely test-fire missiles for military use. They give advance notice to each other of major tests.
India’s missile arsenal includes the short-range ballistic missile Prithvi, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag missile and the supersonic Brahmos missile.
