INS Delhi (D61)
Template:Short description {{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English
Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship careerTemplate:Infobox ship characteristicsINS 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 the Eastern Naval Command to replace the ageing Rajput-class destroyers and form the future Carrier Battle Group of INS Vikrant.
The ship completed its 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Delhi is the second vessel of the Indian Navy to bear the name. She inherits the mantle from the Template:Sclass of the same name, previously HMS Achilles of Battle of the River Plate fame.
Service history
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Exercise Varuna 2009 with the French Navy was off the coast of France.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As of 2020, Delhi was undergoing a mid-life refit that includes upgrades for several weapons and sensors. The Kh-35E Uran missiles has been replaced by BrahMos missiles, which was originally sanctioned in 2015.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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Atlas Elektronik ACTAS towed-array sonar will also be installed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The BrahMos integration was validated with a test firing on 19 April 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In May 2024, The INS Delhi along with Template:INS and [[INS Kiltan (P30)|Template:INS]] 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The ship participated in Exercise Malabar 2024 which was held from 8 to 18 October.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
INS Delhi took part in the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the German Navy's Frigate Baden-Württemberg and Tanker Frankfurt am Main from 21 to 23 October 2024 in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In July 2025, INS Delhi was again deployed in the South East Asia as part of the four-ship flotilla under the command of Rear admiral Susheel Menon, the FOCEF. The flotilla included Template:INS, Template:INS and Template:INS. The flotilla called on Singapore from 16 to 19 July.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> On 24 July, Delhi, Shakti and Kiltan called on Da Nang Port, Vietnam. The fleet was welcomed by the Vietnam People's Navy.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> On 1 August, the three ships arrived at Manila Port, Philippines.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The ships also conducted the maiden joint sail and naval exercise with Philippine Navy on 3 and 4 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ships concluded their port call to Manila on 5 August.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>