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.
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.
The Ship completed it's mid life upgrade in early 2022 and was back in service by April of the same year. She was back with new sensor upgrades and new 'Modular Launcher' for Brahmos Missile as a replacement for Kh 35E.
Delhi is the second vessel of the Indian Navy to bear the name. She inherits the mantle from the of the same name, previously HMS Achilles of Battle of the River Plate fame.
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.[1] Exercise Varuna 2009 with the French Navy was off the coast of France.[2]
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.[3] [4] Atlas Elektronik ACTAS towed-array sonar will also be installed.[5] The BrahMos integration was validated with a test firing on 19 April 2022.[6]
In May 2024, INS Delhi along with INS Shakti (A57) and INS Kiltan (P30) was a part of the three-ship flotilla led by Rear admiral Rajesh Dhankar, the FOCEF. On 6 May 2024, the flotilla reached Singapore for a three day visit as a part of operational deployment of the Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea. The flotilla will then proceed to Malaysia and Philippines, respectively.[7] [8] [9] On 12 May, INS Delhi and INS Shakti reached Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and will later participate in the Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy.[10] On 20 May, INS Delhi, INS Kiltan and INS Shakti arrived at Manila, Philippines under the command of Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankar. During the visit, the navies will take part in an exercise and other activities like "subject expert matter exchange, cross deck visits, cultural visits, collaborative community outreach programmes."[11] On 23 May, the flotilla completed its visit to Philippines which was a part of the Operational Deployment of the Eastern fleet to the South China Sea.[12] [13]