New Delhi. With the upgrading of anti-Air Defence System of the Delhi Class guided missile destroyers which form part of the main battle Group of Indian Navy, these warships will soon become more powerful.

To boost the weapons system of the warship, India and Russia’s JSC Rosboronexport have inked an agreement for modernisation of “Air Defence Complex Kashmir and Radar Fregat MAE” on P-15 (Delhi Class) of ships. The modernisation of Radar and Missile systems would substantially enhance the Air Defence capability of the P-15 Ships.

The major overhaul and refurbishment of subsystems would be undertaken in India and critical components will be undertaken in partnership here locally, Defence Ministry sources said.

Delhi Class guided missile destroyers form part of the main battle Group of Indian Navy, with all three ships of its Class viz. IN Ships Delhi (1997), Mysore (1999) and Mumbai (2001) indigenously made at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

At the time of commissioning, the ships were fitted with various weapon suites, with Russian origin weapon packages as the mainstay of ship’s capabilities. The existing Russian Fregat MAE and Kashmir SAMs are major Anti Air warfare systems and are up for modernisation in order to maintain the ship’s capabilities in lines with the modern sea warfare tactics.