"Today's flight marked a step towards user evaluation and induction of the Trishul system in the Navy by the year 2000," a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said the missile was tested in guidance mode as an anti-sea skimmer against low-altitude sea targets.

The missile was tested at 3.35 pm from the naval base `Dronacharya' in Cochin, he said, adding the mission objectives "were fully met".

Trishul flies at supersonic speed and skims over the sea at a very low altitude and hits sea skimming missiles aimed at ships.

Tracking and guidance systems of the missile have been fully achieved, the spokesman said.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited and naval establishments have been partners in the development of the naval Trishulsystem.

In a message, Defence Minister George Fernandes congratulated the DRDO scientists for the successful test firing of Trishul.

"The day augurs well for the defence scientists in their continuous strides for self-reliance in the defence technology.

"The country is proud of them. I am certain that they will not rest on their laurels and scale even greater heights in the days to come," Fernandes said.