Visakhapatnam - A city of military might and cultural splendour Premium

Explore Visakhapatnam's rich military history and cultural heritage through unique museums celebrating the Telugu people's legacy and naval achievements.

Visakhapatnam, seat of the Eastern Naval Command and the ‘Financial Capital’ of Andhra Pradesh, is also a city of museums that celebrate the country’s glorious military history and the rich cultural heritage of the Telugu people.

Strategically located along the coast of Bay of Bengal, Visakhapatnam is home to INS Kursura Submarine Museum, the first such installation in South Asia. Located on Ramakrishna (RK) Beach, it is housed in a decommissioned Soviet-built I-641 class submarine.

This unique museum, open to visitors on all days except Monday (a maintenance holiday), offers people a glimpse into the complex mechanisms that make up the underwater vessel as well as the demanding life of submariners.

The diesel-electric submarine was inducted into the Navy on December 18, 1969 and was decommissioned on February 28, 2001 after 31 years of distinguished service to the country. The entire submarine, including the armament package, was lifted from the sea and placed on a concrete foundation on Ramakrishna Beach Road. The submarine is 91.3 metres long and 8 metres wide.

On April 30, 2002, the State government ordered the transfer of the entire submarine, including the surrounding areas developed for the museum, to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) for maintenance and upkeep. The museum was thrown open to the public by the then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on August 14, 2002.

Opposite the submarine museum is the Tu-142 Aircraft Museum, featuring a Tupolev (Tu) 142M aircraft, a massive Soviet-era anti-submarine warfare aircraft that was a vital cog in India’s naval aviation. The aircraft was converted into museum following its decommission on March 29, 2017, after 29 years of service.

On the campus of the museum is an exhibition hall that displays equipment and aircraft parts such as sonobuoys, propellers, an engine, a survival kit and an anti-submarine missile.