Trishul (missile): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox weapon

|is_missile=yes

|speed= [[Mach number|Mach]] 2

|vehicle_range=

* {{convert|11|km|abbr=on}}

|ceiling=

|altitude=

|filling= Pre-[[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmented]] warhead

|guidance= [[Command to line-of-sight]]

|detonation=

==History and development==

The project was planned to be completed by 1992 and to be fitted in [[Brahmaputra-class frigate]]s as an [[Sea skimming|anti-sea skimmer]]. In 1992, the missile was successfully fired reaching [[Supersonic speed|Mach 2]] speed following a predetermined trajectory against a target mounted 7 meter above sea but variation in [[altimeter]] led to test failure. In 1997, the associated radar systems for detecting the incoming sea-skimmer were operational at [[INS Dronacharya]], but Indian Navy expressed its displeasure in the developmental delay of Trishul for the [[Brahmaputra-class frigate]]s and finally opted for Barak 1. Trishul was unable to complete all the static trials from a fixed launcher until 1998.<ref name=":5"/> By May 1998, [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]] (BDL) was able to produce Trishul while the 27 tonne launch system was developed by [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]] (BHEL). The first missile produced by BDL was test fired against [[Northrop BQM-74 Chukar]] in June.<ref name=":6"/>  

Upon reviewed by DRDO and the Indian Armed Forces in October 2001, the missile system was found deficient as the tracking radar beam was getting intermittent breaks resulting in the missile missing the target and the heavy [[BMP-2]] chassis did not meet the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) for swift mobility due to heavy weight.<ref name="DRDO">{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Neha|date=31 January 2008|title=DRDO's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme|url=http://www.ipcs.org/focusthemsel.php?articleNo=2480|url-status=live|access-date=15 December 2021|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies}}</ref> On 25 January 2002, the naval variant of Trishul was test fired from INS Dronacharya but failed at sea-skimming capability.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 January 2002|title=Trishul missile test fired|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/trishul-missile-testfired/cid/906064|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Telegraph India}}</ref>  

Until October 2006, 80 flight tests were already completed and DRDO was in dialogue with the IAF for user trials and induction.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=29 November 2006|title=Govt denies Trishul being wound up|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/govt-denies-trishul-being-wound-up/433285|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Outlook India}}</ref><ref name=":1"/> In 2006, [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]] granted one year extension to Trishul project. Due to project delays, and modification of GSQRs and operational requirements over time, Trishul no longer able to meet the need of the end users. For continuation of the project and funding, it was proposed that the missile will be deployed in certain locations to conduct training, fire control, and air defence practice. As per [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD), Trishul Project met the performance parameters set by the original GSQRs but failed to achieve the perfect three-beam guidance and development of [[millimeter-wave]] [[active radar homing]] seeker.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2007-05-17|title=Trishul missile programme not a failure: Antony|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/05/17/trishul-missile-programme-not-a-failure-antony-1179405956.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=One India|language=en}}</ref> The team of 200 scientists working on Trishul were reassigned for [[Barak 8]], a joint project between DRDO and [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] (IAI).<ref name=":1"/> IAF finally selected [[SPYDER]] as an alternative to Trishul.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dubey|first=Ajit Kumar|date=28 February 2017|title=India prepares Israeli SPYDER air defence missile system for Pakistan border|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/india-pakistan-border-iaf-spyder-israel-air-defence-missile-system-963021-2017-02-28|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> To fulfill IAF requirement, DRDO made another attempt with [[MBDA]] on a joint project called [[Maitri (missile)|Maitri]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 December 2014|title=France hopeful of $6-billion Maitri missile project|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/france-hopeful-of-6-billion-maitri-missile-project/articleshow/45667100.cms|access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref> But it got cancelled due to lack of interest.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 August 2014|title=Rs 30,000 cr Indo-French missile develeopment plan in troubled waters|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rs-30000-cr-indo-french-missile-develeopment-plan-in-troubled-waters/articleshow/39553749.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref> All the proven technologies and learning from Trishul later helped DRDO in [[QRSAM]] and [[VL-SRSAM]]. People who worked on Trishul and Barak 8 termed the basic design flaw as one of the many reasons behind the project failure.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=30 October 2006|title=Trishul missile's tardy progress stains DRDO image|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20061030-trishul-missile-tardy-progress-stains-drdo-image-782138-2006-10-30|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

==Characteristics==

==See also==

*[[Maitri (missile)]]

*[[QRSAM]]