India tests two surface-to-air missiles

25 Jul, 2006

India tested two surface-to-air Trishul missiles Monday in the eastern state of Orissa, a day after a similar launch from the site, defence officials said.
The Trishul (Trident) tests come after New Delhi's nuclear-capable Agni III ballistic missile, with a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,480 miles), failed during a trial launch earlier this month. The Trishul is designed for use by the army, airforce and the navy and can carry a 15-kilogram (33-pound) conventional warhead up to nine kilometers (5.5 miles).
All three Trishul launches were from the Chandipur-on-Sea range, 200 kilometres (124 mies) north-east of the Orissa capital of Bhubaneshwar, officials said. They declined to say whether the tests were successful. The Trishul has previously undergone tests for its sea-skimming role and also against land-based and airborne targets.

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