[7] The ships were built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at a cost of ₹750 crore (equivalent to ₹32 billion or US$370 million in 2023) each.

Initially, the ships were planned to be follow-on frigates of the Godavari class with the addition of RBU-6000 ASW rocket launchers and gas turbine propulsion.

A Soviet offer in 1983 for reversible gas turbines and modern weapon systems forced a redesign of the ships from 3,500-tonne frigates to 6,300-tonne destroyers.

[9] The break-up of the Soviet Union affected the supply of weapon systems, contributing to a three-year delay in the construction of vessels.

[7] Delhi-class vessels are fitted with flag facilities, enabling them to act as command unit in task groups.

[12] For air defence role, Delhi class is fitted with 9K-90 Uragan (NATO: SA-N-7 Gadfly) air-defence system comprising a pair of 3S-90 single-arm launchers and 9M38M1 Shtil missiles.

A Signaal LW08 radar license produced by BEL as RAWL provides long range air search capability.

A single AK-100 gun guided by MR-184/MR-145 fire-control system (NATO: Kite Screech), which comprises T-91E radar and Kondensor electro-optical sights, was originally fitted to the ships.

[15][2] A pair of 12-tubed RBU-6000 213mm anti-submarine rocket launchers fitted in front of the bridge can engage submarines up to a range of 6 km (3.7 mi).

[14][2] Detection is provided by BEL HUMVAD, an indigenous hull-mounted sonar with a variable depth transducer that offers better performance in the waters around India.

The helicopters carry a surface search radar, a dipping sonar, A244-S lightweight torpedoes and Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.