INS Mumbai, is more advanced than the other two vessels though minor modifications have already taken place on INS Delhi and INS Mysore. These vessels are well suited for power projection roles in the Indian Ocean Region and are fully fitted with flag facilities. The Delhi Class is also capable of operating in a NBC (Nuclear, Biological & Chemical) environment and Radar-Cross-Section (RCS) reduction is presumed to be minimal, to the extent that some sharp angles have been flattened. INS Mumbai was ordered on 30 March 1992, was laid down on 12 December 1992, was launched on 20 March 1995 and was commissioned on 22 January 2001.
Development
Indian Navy has consciously taken the difficult route of indigenisation in consonance with the national endeavor towards self-reliance. The Navy embarked upon a program for indigenous construction of ships and development of major sub systems, sensors and weapon systems with the help of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Defence Public Sector Understandings (PSUs). Commissioning of the indigenously built destroyer, INS Delhi on November 15, 1997, & commissioning INS Mysore on June 2, 1999 have enabled the Navy to become a builder's Navy and not just be a buyer's Navy. The development of the ship began as Project 15 in 1977. The ships were designed indigenously and built by Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) at a cost of Rs 7 Billion each. The Delhi class has both Soviet and Western design influences, incorporating elements of the Sovremenny class destroyer, the Rajput class (Kashin-II) destroyer, and the Godavari class frigate.
Conclusion of a cost-plus contract is against the general orders of the Government and also against the pricing policy promulgated by the Ministry in September 1984 for construction of ships. As per the pricing policy, only the contract for the first of a series of ships should be on cost-plus basis and the remaining should be fixed price contracts. Naval HQ concluded cost-plus contracts with MDL and GRSE for Project 15 and 16-A in November 1992 and July 1993 respectively for all the frigates Since there was a gap of two to three years in commencement of the cardinal activities of the first and second frigates, it should have been possible for Navy to conclude fixed price contracts for the second and third frigate Naval HQ also ignored the fact that GRSE was to construct frigates on a proven design with technology transfer from MDL The Ministry's proposal in July 1996 to convert the cost-plus contract to fixed price contract has also not been acted upon.
These vessels are fully fitted with flag facilities. The Delhi class is also capable of operating in a NBC environment. Radar cross-section reduction is presumed to be minimal, to the extent that some sharp angles have been flattened. In the main air defence role, a pair of 2 3S-90 launchers - one installed forward of the bridge and the other atop the dual helicopter hangar - are fitted with the Shtil SAM system. The Shtil system consists of the Russian Shtil missile and 24 such missiles are carried in a below-decks magazine. The launchers elevate up to 70º but have a limited firing arc of 30º within the centreline. The launcher groups require a crew of 20 men and weigh about 50 tons.
The Delhi class is being upgraded with the Rafael Barak point air defence missile system, which overcomes the limited firing arc of the Shtil system. It has an eight-cell vertical launch system and the missile command-to-line-of-sight (CLOS) radar guidance with a range from 500m to 10 km. The missile's maximum range is 32 km. The ship has a surveillance capacity of over 350 km and can sterilise an area of 250 km. The ships also have a quadruple 533mm torpedo launcher, which can also be used to launch SS-N-15 'Starfish' or possibly SS-N-16 'Stallion' ASW missiles, so is capable of hitting targets ranging from 50 km to 120 km. It is also equipped with two RBU-6000 (smerch 2) anti-submarine rocket launchers with 12 tubes. Their range is 6 km and the maximum engagement depth is 500m.
INS Mumbai is the third of the "Delhi Class" of guided missile destroyers and represents the cutting edge of combatant technology in the country. The ship is one of the largest and most powerful battle ships built in this part of the globe and has a displacement of 6,700 tonnes. She is propelled to a maximum speed of 32 knots by four gas turbines (64,000 horsepower) and has a crew of 40 officers and 350 men. INS Mumbai has an immense firepower with a weapon package comprising surface-to-surface missiles, a battery of surface-to-air missiles, a 100 mm gun, four 30 mm Gatling guns, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and chaff decoys. In addition, she has a state-of-the-art sensor package of modern radars, sonars and electronic warfare suites. The ship is capable of carrying two indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) onboard, providing the much needed "extended reach" to a modern surface combatant. These helicopters armed with missiles and torpedoes as well as sensitive sensor suites are formidable force multipliers. With her fine lines and proven seaworthiness synergising with the formidable weapon and sensor suites, INS Mumbai is a daunting adversary and lives up to her motto; I am invincible. INS Mumbai is not the first ship to be named after one of the greatest maritime hubs of the world. The first warship to be named after the economic nerve centre of India, the Honourable Company's ship Bombay was built at the Bombay Docks and commissioned by the then Governor of Bombay in 1739. The last of the Bombays was "HMIS Bombay', a 733 ton-fleet minesweeper, commissioned in 1942, which was later renamed as "INS Bombay" on January 26, 1950 and served the nation till 1960.
Chopper Support
Each ship can support two helicopters, the Sea King or the HAL Dhruv. The Sea King helicopters are equipped with a Super Searcher radar and primarily used in air surveillance and anti-submarine roles. The helicopters are capable of flying four and half hours non-stop. The HAL Dhruv helicopters are primarily for utility roles. The INS Delhi has a crew of approximately 30 officers and 350 sailors. The ships are equipped with four chaff launch systems and the BEL Ajanta radar interceptor. The TQN-2 jamming system is supplied by the Italian company, Elettronica. The ship's hull mounted active search sonar capability is based on the TSM2633 by Thales Underwater Systems or the APSOH by Bharat. The Delhi Class also has a variable depth sonar, Model 15-750 developed and manufactured in India by Indal and Garden Reach.
Structure
The vessel design, for which Russia's Severnoye Design Bureau (SDB) acted as a consultant, is a hybrid of Western and Russian technology - incorporating elements of the Sovremenny Class destroyer and the Rajput Class destroyer with the locally-designed Godavari Class frigate, including the frigate's most unique aspect, namely the large dual helicopter hangar for two Sea King Mk.42B helicopters. The huge missile blast deflectors, installed behind the KT-184 launchers, on INS Delhi, indicate an original intention to arm these destroyers with the supersonic 3M-80 (NATO: SS-N-22) AShM which was later deemed too costly. INS Mysore and INS Mumbai lack these blast deflectors.
Propulsion
The ship's propulsion is based on a combined diesel and gas CODAG system. The vessels are powered by two Ukrainian Zorya Production Association M36E (E for Export) gas turbine plants that produce over 64,000 hp. The M36E gas turbine plant comprise four DT-59 reversible gas turbines grouped in two pairs, driving two propellers through two RG-54 gearboxes. There are four separate Russian-made gas turbine generators, two in each engine room. The Russian gas turbine system is the AM-50. The KVM-18 diesel motors are supplied by Bergen and Garden Reach. Fresh air for the turbines is drawn through two large stacks, one after the bridge superstructure, and one aft.
Sonar
The first two vessels in the series - INS Delhi and INS Mysore - have a Bharat APSOH (Advanced Panoramic Sonar Hull) hull-mounted sonar, which provides active search with medium frequency and a Garden Reach Model 15-750 variable depth sonar, also known as HUMVAAD, which is mounted in a Canadian Indal-designed 'fish' deployed from a ramp in the transom. INS Mumbai features more advanced sonar systems, namely a Thales ATAS (Advanced Towed Array Sonar) system and a Bharat HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array) system.
Weapons
Anti Ship Missiles
Sixteen 3M-24E (Kh-35 Uran or NATO: SS-N-25) AShMs, housed in four quadruple KT-184 launchers, angled at 30º, two on either side of the bridge superstructure. Equivalent to the Harpoon Block 1C AShM, these missiles have active radar homing out to a range of 130 km at 0.9 Mach, with a 145 kg warhead. All 16 missiles can be ripple-fired in 2-3 second intervals. The vessels will be retrofitted with the GLONASS-steered, land-attack 3M24E1 Uranium AShM at a later date. The 3M24E1 AShM - export variant of the 3M24M1 - has more fuel, which extends range to 250 km. Fire control for the missiles, is provided by a Garpun-Bal FC (NATO: Plank Shave) radar, mounted atop the bridge. This radar combines active and passive channels and in the active target designation mode, it operates in X-band (I/J-band) and can handle up to 150 targets at ranges between 35 - 45 km, although it is possible to obtain ranges of more than 180 km in wave-guide propagation conditions. The passive channel operates in the ESM mode searching for pulse and CW signals, and accurately identifying the bearing of hostile emitters from a built-in classification library of up to 1000 signatures. The maximum range of the passive channel is over 100 km depending on the frequency. The vessels reportedly have the capability to fire the SS-N-15 or the SS-N-16 AShM. The former can be fired from 533mm torpedo tubes, while the latter needs a 650mm torpedo tube due to its large size. It is not known if these vessels are fitted with 650mm torpedo tubes.
Air Defence
In the air defence role, a pair of 3S-90 launchers - one installed forward of the bridge and the other atop the dual helicopter hangar - are fitted with the Shtil SAM system. The Shtil system comprises of the 9M38M1 (NATO: SA-N-7, navalised SA-11) missile and 24 such missiles are carried in a below-decks magazine. The launchers elevate up to 70º but have a limited firing arc of 30º within the centre line. The launcher groups require a crew of 20 men and weigh about 50 tons. Target tracking data is provided by the MR-775 Fregat MAE planar array radar which can engage up to 12 targets at ranges of 32 km. Target illumination and semi-active homing is provided via six MR-90 Orekh (NATO: Front Dome) illuminators, four mounted forward and two aft. The missile, designated as Kashmir by the Indian Navy, is armed with a 70 kg high-explosive warhead, has a maximum speed of Mach 3 (830 m/s) and can manoeuvre up to 20 g. The missile can handle target air crafts traveling at 420 to 830 m/s and incoming missiles moving at 330 to 830 m/s. The reaction time is 16 to 19 seconds and the advertised kill percentage is 81 to 96% for a two-missile salvo. Ranges against aircraft are 3 km to 32 km with altitudes from 15 metres to 15 km. Ranges against incoming missiles are 3.5 km to 12 km with altitudes from 10 metres to 10 km. INS Delhi and INS Mysore have been refitted with the Barak SAM system and the pair of MR-123-02 (NATO: Bass Tilt) directors have been replaced by two EL/M-2221 STGR radars, in addition to deck house modifications. Two of the four AK-630 guns aboard INS Delhi and INS Mysore have been removed, to place vertical launchers for the Barak system. As of July 2005, INS Mumbai was not fitted with the Barak SAM system and still had its original equipment fit.
Guns
One 100mm AK-100 single-barrelled, water-cooled gun, for use against ship and shore targets. The AK-100 can engage aerial and surface targets at a rate of fire of 30 to 50 rds/min and the turret can traverse through an arc of 220º. Fire control for the gun is provided by the T91E radar, a part of the MR-145 or MR-184 (NATO: Kite Screech) fire control radar system along with a turret mounted Kondensor optical sight. Each shell weighs 16 kg.
Point Defence
One 100mm AK-100 single-barrelled, water-cooled gun, for use against ship and shore targets. The AK-100 can engage aerial and surface targets at a rate of fire of 30 to 50 rds/min and the turret can traverse through an arc of 220º. Fire control for the gun is provided by the T91E radar, a part of the MR-145 or MR-184 (NATO: Kite Screech) fire control radar system along with a turret mounted Kondensor optical sight. Each shell weighs 16 kg.
Anti Submarine Warfare
Five 533mm PTA 533 quintuple torpedo tube launchers are fitted amidships. The launchers are of modular construction and can fire different types of heavyweight torpedoes such as wire guided or wake homing types. The Delhi Class destroyers are armed with the SET-65E; anti-submarine, active & passive homing torpedo to 8.1 nautical miles; 15 km at 40 knots with a 205 kg warhead and the Type 53-65; passive wake homing torpedo to 10.3 nautical miles; 19 km at 45 knots with a 305 kg warhead.
Anti-submarine armament comprises of two 12 barrelled RBU-6000 AS rocket launchers mounted in front of the bridge. These weapons are controlled by the Purga ASW fire control system. The RBU-6000 fires RGB-60 depth charge rockets to engage submarines at depths of 500 metres at a maximum range of 6000 metres The system may carry up to 192 rockets, each with a 31 kg warhead. It is likely that the new RE-91 ASW rockets could be retrofitted to these vessels in due course. They use the same RBU launcher complex.
Defensive Suite
The EW (Electronic Warfare) suite comprises of the Bharat Ajanta-II EW suite, along with the TQN-2 jamming system from the Italian company, Elettronica. It is probable that the system is based on Israeli equipment, similar to the ones fitted on INS Viraat, and works in conjunction with the Russian PK-2 decoy launcher system. This employs two ZIF-121 launchers mounted on either side of the rear funnel stack atop the helo hanger and the Tertsiya fire control system. The PK-2 is employed in the confusion and distraction modes using chaff, IR and visual-optical decoy rounds. Confusion mode is used to confuse incoming missiles while distraction mode is used when enemy missiles are searching for and locking on the ship. Each launcher has 100 decoy rounds. Stern mounted noise generating torpedo decoys are also used.
History
- 16 May 1996, a fire broke out on board the first frigate of Project 15. The Board of Inquiry ordered by MDL suspected deliberate mischief /sabotage and commented on inadequate fire fighting preparedness at MDL. The loss due to the fire was assessed at Rs 2.16 crore and the cost of repairs had been assessed at Rs 2.26 crore. Yet another fire broke out on 10 October 1996 on the same frigate. Naval HQ contended in May 1997 that this fire did not damage any of the items on board and had therefore no cost and time overrun.
- INS Mysore, along with INS Ranvir, were anchored just outside Sri Lankan territorial waters to provide security for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other high ranking Indian diplomats at the 15th SAARC Summit, which was held from 01 - 03 August 2008.
- 20 November 2008 : the Indian Navy announced that INS Mysore will be deployed to the Gulf of Aden to replace INS Tabar, as part of the Indian Navy's efforts to impede the activities of pirates in the region.
- 13 December 2008 " INS Mysore captured 23 sea pirates along with arms and ammunition while the pirates were trying to capture MV Gibe - a ship sailing under the Ethiopian flag. A press release from the Ministry of Defence - dated 13 December 2008 - stated that Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded the larger pirate boat, seizing 12 Somali and 11 Yemeni nationals as well as arms and equipment. A news report, dated 08 February 2009, stated that INS Mysore was replaced by INS Beas - a guided missile frigate - due to operational commitments back home.
Ships of the class
| Name |
Pennant |
Builder |
Commissioned |
Status |
Crest |
| INS Delhi |
D61 |
Mazagon Dock Limited | 15 November 1997 |
Active |
 |
| INS Mysore |
D60 |
Mazagon Dock Limited | 02 June 1999 |
Active |  |
| INS Mumbai | D62 | Mazagon Dock Limited | 22 January 2001 | Active |  |
Specifications
- Preceded by: Rajput class(Kashin II)
- Succeeded by: Kolkata class
- Planned: 3
- Completed: 3
- Active: 3
- General characteristics
- Type: Guided-missile destroyer
- Displacement: 6,200 tons (full load)[1]
- Length: 163 metres (530 ft)
- Beam: 17.4 metres (57 ft)
- Draught: 6.5 metres (21 ft)
- Propulsion:
- 2 x M36E gas turbine plants;
- 2 shafts;
- 4 x DT-59 reversible gas turbines;
- 2 G-54 gearboxes;
- 64,000 shp
- Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)+
- Range: 5,000 miles (8,000 km)
- Complement: 350 (incl 40 officers)
- Sensors and processing systems:
- 1 x MR-775 Fregat MAE air search radar,
- 1 x Bharat RAWL (Dutch Signaal LW08) surface search radar,
- 3 x MR-212/201 Vaygach-U (NATO: Palm Frond) navigation radars,
- JRC SATCOM,
- 1 x Bharat APSOH or HUMSA sonar,
- 1 x Garden Reach Model 15-750 variable depth sonar or 1 x Thales ATAS,
- Armament:
- 16 x Kh-35 Switchblade (SS-N-25) SSM(4 x quadruple KT-184 launchers),
- 32 x Barak SAM(4 x 8 cell VLS units),2 x Shtil SAM systems,
- 1 x 100 mm AK-100 gun,2 x 30 mm AK-630 gatling guns,
- 2 x RBU-6000(smerch-2) Anti-submarine rocket launchers,
- 5 x 10-21 inch torpedo tubes
- Aircraft carried: 2 x Sea King helicopters
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