Trishul (IAST: triśūla "Trident") is a low-level quick-reaction short range surface-to-air missile developed in India by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). It can also be used as an anti-sea skimmer from naval ship against low flying missile, attack helicopter and aircraft. In 2008, Minister of Defence A. K. Antony officially announced the closure of the project on a written reply to Rajya Sabha after completion of Technology Demonstration (TD) phase. The development cost of Trishul Project was . History and development The Trishul missile project was commissioned in 1983 as a part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The primary objective was to produce short range surface to air missile with a reaction time below 6 seconds. In 1985, Trishul made its first unguided flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The missile made its first full range guided flight in 1989 but without television guidance (TVM) which was originally planned. Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) wanted Trishul to replace the Soviet-era 9K33 Osa. On the other hand, Indian Navy wanted to purchase Barak 1 and Kashtan CIWS for point-defence role since Pakistan began acquiring Harpoon and Exocet from 1980s. By the late 1990's, DRDO pushed Trishul as an alternative to Barak 1 for Indian Navy. One of the biggest challenge faced by DRDO is to make Trishul skim just 5 meters above the sea waves at supersonic speed. The project was planned to be completed by 1992 and to be fitted in Brahmaputra-class frigates as an anti-sea skimmer. In 1992, the missile was successfully fired reaching 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 frigates and finally opted for Barak 1. Trishul was unable to complete all the static trials from a fixed launcher until 1998. 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. Upon reviewed by DRDO and the Indian Armed Forces in October 2001, the