Defence Minister A K Antony today informed the Parliament that the indigenously developed Trishul missile system is not a failure. "Technically it (the Trishul missile system) has not met the performance objectives as per original Qualitative Requirements (QRs) though delayed," Antony stated in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

He cited the delay to the technical problems in achieving perfect 3-beam guidance and obtaining the milli-metric wave components from foreign country.

"As the realization of Trishul missile system got delayed, users -Army, Air Force, and Navy- resorted to acquisition from abroad as the QRs and operational requirements got modified over time," he added.

The Government also justified the requirement of Trishul missile in the wake of successful test of long-range Agni-III missile and stated that the former is a low-level, quick-reaction, short range, surface-to-air missile against air targets whereas, Agni-III is a long range surface-to-surface missile against fixed strategic targets.

Trishul, which is about three metres in length and 200 cm in diameter, flies at supersonic speed and is capable of carrying a 15-kg payload.

The last time it was tested was on July 23, 2006.

However, the Trishul project, which is carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was initiated in 1984 and is one of country's longest missile development projects.

The Minister today said that negotiations are continuing with the Indian Air Force to accept the system.

On the question of delay in receiving the aircraft carrier Gorshkov from Russia, Antony assured the House that the aircraft carrier would be delivered by the end of 2008 as per the schedule.

"The Russian side has assured at the highest level that the ship will be delivered as per contract. The aircraft carrier is undergoing necessary repairs modifications in Russia at present," the minister replied.

He also dismissed reports that foreign technology assistance has been asked for the Main Battle Tank Arjun, and said that the 'issues' regarding the production of the tanks 'are being resolved'.

"Five tanks have been handed over to Indian Army. Nine more tanks are under Joint Receipt Inspection," the Minister informed the Parliament. (ANI)