New Delhi: After four recent successful tests, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to revitalise the Trishul surface-to-air missile programme, which the Indian scientists are working on to turn into the country's first anti-missile system.

Asserting that there was no move to shelve the programme, Defence Minister George Fernandes told Rajya Sabha that the programme had currently been delinked from user service in view of delays due to technological problems.

He, however, told the House in a written reply that all the four tests of the missile between June 22 and 25 had achieved all mission objectives like proving guidance system and operation of the missile and ground system in tandem.

Declaring that the scientists would keep on working on the missile system, Fernandes said in the meantime the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force - had been allowed to meet their urgent requirements of short-range surface-to-air missile and anti-missile system through imports.

The minister denied that India had finalised the deal with Israel to acquire the Phalcon Air Early Warning and Airborne System (AWACS). India is seeking to mount the Phalcon system on the Russian IL-76 airframe and the multi-billion Dollar deal is awaiting the US nod.

Fernandes also told the House that India had taken up with Russia the issue of snags found in recently inducted T-90 tanks and that Moscow had agreed to rectify these snags by sending a team of experts.

PTI