iRead, iLearn, iWrite. Hence, iBlog.

For Indian Military, Nuclear & Space matters, visit:

Friday, April 20, 2012

Leander-class Cruiser Warship of the Indian Navy visits Italy [INS Delhi]

INS Delhi was a Leander-class light Cruiser warship that served with the Indian Navy [IN] from 1948 till 1978. Originally built as HMS Achilles in Britain in the 1930s, it operated as part of the fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy, renamed HMNZS Achilles where she operated during World War II. Following culmination of the war & India attaining her freedom, the Government of India bought this warship as part of its plans to build independent India's own Naval force. It was named as 'INS Delhi' upon acquisition [HMIS Delhi, till the time India became a Republic]. The ship also saw action during India's liberation of Goa from Portuguese imperialist occupation in 1961. Finally on 30th June 1978, the Cruiser was decommissioned from Naval service, after having been operated as a training vessel for two-third of its service life.

Here, INS Delhi can be seen making a port call to the Italian coastal town of Genoa on May 17, 1955.

Click on the images to view larger-sized pictures

Leander-class Light Cruiser warship INS Delhi [formerly HMS Achilles (HMNZS Achilles)] of the Indian Navy

Leander-class Light Cruiser warship INS Delhi [formerly HMS Achilles (HMNZS Achilles)] of the Indian Navy

Leander-class Light Cruiser warship INS Delhi [formerly HMS Achilles (HMNZS Achilles)] of the Indian Navy

Leander-class Light Cruiser warship INS Delhi [formerly HMS Achilles (HMNZS Achilles)] of the Indian Navy

source

INS Delhi was resurrected once again in 1997 when the lead warship of the indigenously developed Delhi-class of guided Missile Destroyer was commissioned into the Indian Navy, as have been other Cruisers INS Bombay [INS Mumbai] & INS Mysore. The remaining Cruisers, INS Madras [INS Chennai] & INS Calcutta [INS Kolkata] would be reborn as warships of the indigenous, more advanced, stealthy Kolkata-class guided Missile Destroyers currently under construction.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update [2012.04.26]: Another picture of the INS Delhi [HMS Achilles]

Leander-class Light Cruiser warship INS Delhi [formerly HMS Achilles (HMNZS Achilles)] of the Indian Navy

Godspeed

Related: Indian Navy Warships in South Africa [Photographs]