Question

Which of the following best explains the difference between Trishul and NAG missiles?

1. Trishul was a SAM, while NAG is an ATGM.

2. Trishul was inducted in service; NAG was discontinued.

3. NAG uses IIR guidance; Trishul did not.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 1 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

• Correct Answer: Option A) 1 and 3 only

• Statement 1 is correct: Trishul was indeed a Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) designed to intercept aircraft and other aerial threats at short ranges (9 km), while NAG is an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) designed to destroy armored vehicles like tanks at ranges up to 4-7 km. These are fundamentally different types of missiles with different purposes.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Both Trishul and NAG are part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), but contrary to the statement, the Trishul project was actually discontinued in 2008 after facing several technical challenges, while NAG has been successfully developed and inducted into service with the Indian Army.

• Statement 3 is correct: NAG does use Imaging Infrared (IIR) guidance, which allows it to "see" and track targets based on their heat signatures. This "fire-and-forget" capability lets the missile autonomously track targets after launch. Trishul, being an older generation missile, used radar guidance and command guidance systems but did not employ IIR technology.