Delhi Class & Rajput Class Destroyers : Discussions
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INS Rajput Decommissioned
Posted On: 21 MAY 2021 9:06PM by PIB DelhiThe Indian Navy’s first destroyer INS Rajput was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam after serving the nation for 41 glorious years on Friday, 21 May 21. The ship was decommissioned in a solemn and low key event due to the ongoing COVID Pandemic when the National Flag, Naval Ensign, and the Decommissioning Pennant were lowered at sunset time in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, AVSM, VSM Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, the Chief Guest for the ceremony. In recognition of the yeoman service rendered to the nation by the ship, a Special Postal Cover was released by the Chief Guest on the occasion.
INS Rajput was commissioned on 04 May 1980, at Poti, Georgia (erstwhile USSR), as the lead ship of the Rajput Class Destroyers of the Indian Navy with Capt (later Vice Admiral) Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani as the first Commanding Officer. During her service, the ship had the distinction of being part of both the Western and Eastern Fleets. She was based in Mumbai till Jun 1988 and thereafter was re-based at Visakhapatnam as part of the Eastern Fleet.
Endowed with menacing looks, the ship was equipped with an array of weapons and sensors which included, surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rocket launchers. INS Rajput was also the first ship to be fitted out to fire the supersonic cruise and long-range BrahMos missile. She was also the first Indian Naval ship to get affiliated with an Indian Army Regiment ‘the Rajput Regiment’.
Apart from participating in various naval operations like Op Pawan, Operation Aman, Operation Cactus, and various multinational exercises, the ship was a flag bearer of the Indian Navy's benign role by participating in various relief operations which include cyclone relief operations off Odisha Coast in 1999, relief operations post Tsunami in Andaman & Nicobar Islands in 2004 and HADR mission after the earthquake at Jakarta.
In her glorious service to the nation, the ship has been helmed by 31 Commanding Officers. The ship since its commissioning has sailed a distance of over 7,87,194 nautical miles which is equivalent to navigating around the world 36.5 times and 3.8 times the distance from Earth to Moon.
The decommissioning ceremony was attended by very few officers and sailors from the Eastern Fleet and other organisations of ENC whilst adhering to the COVID protocols. The event was live-streamed on the internet and Naval intranet for the benefit of a larger audience viz., serving personnel, veterans, and outstation ex-crew who had served onboard the ship. The virtual attendees included Vice Adm Atul Kumar Jain, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, former Commanding Officers and, Officers and Sailors of the Commissioning Crew.
What happened to INS Delhi's MLU? It started exactly 4 years back.... Can someone post any recent pics, that showcase the upgraded destroyer? Also, what about the first three Talwars? Weren't they, too, supposed to undergo MLU, replacement of Shtil Arm launcher, etc...?
4 Rajput class destroyers of the Navy. There were 5 ships originally. INS Ranjit (D53) was decommissioned in 2019 & sunk during TROPEX 21 exercises. INS Rajput (D51), the lead ship, has been decommissioned in 21st May of 2021. That leaves 3 ships in service.
Don't know if I posted this before. Some old photos of the Rajput class destroyers. Notice the AC units on the superstructure ? 
Brahmos missile launchers on upgraded Delhi- Class destroyers (?). The box launchers have a width of 2.3 m and an (inclined) length of 8.3 m.
Sadly the arm launchers are retained.
Sadly the arm launchers are retained.
Let's hope the arm launchers are still WIP.
The Talwars which were under MLU too retained their arm launchers. I think the Talwars and P15 ships will get VL-SRSAM when it becomes available.
Yeah, if the Shtil isn't VLS, then the ships are gonna need VL-Astra.
The choice of Brahmos seems to be a logical choice for Delhi class MLU. These should be the inclined launchers delivered by L&T:
Russia did pitch VL-Shtil for Delhi class but clearly did not go anywhere.
Russia did pitch VL-Shtil for Delhi class but clearly did not go anywhere.
Initial plan called for Brahmos VLS. If slant launchers are used then that will save space for future expansion. Maybe VLS for LACMs in the front. The rear Launcher can be place for VL SRSAM launchers
