India’s P-15 Class Destroyers to get Modern Radars, Missile Systems

India is looking to modernise radars and missile systems aboard three of its P-15 class destroyers (Delhi-class warships) and a subsequent contract was signed with Russia on Thursday.

The contract for modernisation of “Air Defense Complex Kashmir” and “Radar Fregat MAE” on the ships was signed between the Ministry of Defense and JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation, local media reported.

As per the agreement reached between New Delhi and Moscow, modernisation, major overhaul and refurbishment of sub systems would be undertaken in India. The manufacturing of critical hardware would also be undertaken in partnership with the Indian industry.

The Delhi-class destroyers are guided-missile destroyers and three ships of this class are in active service. Delhi-class warships are guided-missile destroyers with a displacement of 6,200 tonnes, a length of 163 metres and a crew of 40 officers and 310 sailors. They have a maximum speed of 32 knots (59 kilometres per hour).

With a range of 4,500 nautical miles (7,200 km), the destroyers are armed with Kh-35E (SS-N-25 Switchblade) cruise missiles, Barak 1 short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM), 9M317 (SA-N-7B Grizzly) medium-range SAM, one 100mm (3.9in) AK-100 naval gun, 30mm AK-630 close-in weapon system (CIWS), RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher, torpedos, and depth charges. The warships also carry 2 Sea King Mk 42B helicopters.