INS Delhi (D61)

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INS Delhi
History
NameDelhi
NamesakeDelhi
OwnerIndian Navy
OperatorIndian Navy
Ordered20 March 1992
BuilderMazagon Dock Limited, India
Laid down12 December 1992
Launched20 March 1995
Commissioned15 November 1997
HomeportVisakhapatnam
IdentificationPennant number: D61
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeDelhi-class guided-missile destroyer
Displacement6,200 tonnes (full)[1]
Length163 m (535 ft) [1]
Beam17 m (56 ft)[1]
Draught6.5 m (21 ft)[1]
Propulsion
Speed32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)[2]
Range4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)[2]
Complement350 (incl 40 officers)[1]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Fregat M2EM E-band air & surface search radar(250 Km) Replaced from MR-755 MAE.
  • BEL RAWL (Signaal LW08) D-band air search radar
  • 3 × MR-212/201 I-band navigation radars
  • 6 × MR-90 Orekh G-band fire-control radars (FCR)
  • BEL Lynx U2 FCR Replaced from MR-184 I/J-band
  • 2 × EL/M-2221 FCR for Barak 1
  • BEL HUMVAD hull-mounted sonar[2]
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × Sea King Mk 42B helicopters[2]

INS Delhi is the lead ship of her class of guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 15 November 1997. This class is among the largest warships to be designed and built in India. The Ship completed it's mid life upgrade in early 2022 and was back in service by April. she was back with new Sensor upgrades and new 'Modular Launcher' for Brahmos Missile as a replacement for KH 35E. A Brahmos test was carried out from the ship on 19 April 2022.

As of December 2021, Delhi was transferred to Eastern Naval Command to replace the ageing Rajput-class destroyers and form the future Carrier Battle Group of INS Vikrant (2013)

Delhi is the second vessel of the Indian Navy to bear the name. She inherits the mantle from the Leander-class cruiser of the same name, previously HMS Achilles of Battle of the River Plate fame.

Operations[edit]

During May–July 2009, INS Delhi led the Indian Navy task force on deployment to Europe. During this deployment, the task force participated in joint-exercises with the Royal Navy and the French Navy. Exercise Konkan-09 with the Royal Navy, was conducted off the coast of the United Kingdom.[4] Exercise Varuna 2009 with the French Navy was off the coast of France.[5]

As of 2020, Delhi was undergoing a mid-life refit that includes upgrades for several weapons and sensors. The Kh-35E Uran missiles will be replaced by BrahMos missiles, which was originally sanctioned in 2015. The Shtil-1 air defence system will replace the 9K-90 Uragan, with Fregat M2EM radar replacing the Fregat-MAE. The Kite Screech fire control system of the AK-100 is being replaced by BEL Lynx U2. The electronics warfare system will be upgraded to Ellora Mk II, with Kavach decoy launchers.[6][7] Atlas Elektronik ACTAS towed-array sonar will also be installed.[8] The BrahMos integration was validated with a test firing on 19 April 2022.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "IN Ships-Destroyers-Delhi Class". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Commodore Stephen Saunders, ed. (2004). "India". Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005 (107th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 308. ISBN 978-0710626233.
  3. ^ Commodore Stephen Saunders, ed. (2008). "India". Jane's Fighting Ships 2008-2009 (111th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 324. ISBN 978-0710628459.
  4. ^ "KONKAN 2009". Indiannavy.nic.in. 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Varuna 2009". Indiannavy.nic.in. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  6. ^ Mazumdar, Mrityunjoy (29 April 2020). "Details emerge on INS Mumbai upgrade". Shephard. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Nod to new aircraft carrier, BrahMos missiles for six ships". Business Standard. IANS. 13 May 2015.
  8. ^ Shukla, Ajai (25 November 2014). "Sonar contract provides major boost to navy". Business Standard. New Delhi.
  9. ^ Negi, Manjeet (19 April 2022). "Indian Navy successfully test fires BrahMos missile from INS Delhi". India Today.