Air Defense: April 2, 2003

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After 20 years of effort, and over $62 million, India has ceased development on it's Trishul short range (9 kilometers) anti-aircraft missile. There were seven successful test firings, but persistent problems with the guidance system. The navy had lost interest several years ago and was pestering the government to kill the project. Like many government projects, the Trishul acquired a life of its own, with key members of the defense bureaucracy defeating efforts to kill the project.