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I recently introduced you to the pleasures of diving in Aqaba, Jordan. With less than thirty kilometres of coastline on the Red Sea, Jordan has managed to attract many divers who come here for the pleasure of discovering the coral reefs, the tropical fauna but above all the numerous wrecks that have been created to increase the attractiveness of this destination. 2019 saw the inauguration of the first and only underwater military museum, and it’s simply amazing !
This is with the excellent DEEP BLUE DIVE CENTER in Aqaba that I had the pleasure of discovering the world’s only underwater military museum, in the Jordanian waters of the Red Sea. In 2019, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) Tourism Authority installed no fewer than 19 aircraft in tactical formation, as well as 2 Jeeps, a little higher up, a few dozen metres from the shore, with a maximum depth of 28m, making the site largely observable even by snorkellers.
The underwater military museum… a real underwater attraction in Aqaba !
When it comes to wreck diving, there are those who love it and those who don’t… While some wreck enthusiasts are prepared to dive under any conditions to explore a wreck, others pay very little attention. With the Underwater Military Museum, Aqaba is reconciling all divers by offering an underwater setting that is unique in the world ! Just imagine all the aircraft parading beneath your fins during a dive… Combat helicopters, tanks, military ambulances, troop carriers, anti-aircraft guns… stretching over 140m in length. Arranged in tactical formation, the whole is coherent and gives the impression of moving forward to go into battle. Completely depolluted, they have been installed very carefully so as not to harm the environment.
Different origins for this collection of war vehicles
At the deepest part of the site, between 25 and 28 metres, two COBRA helicopters sit proudly on the sand. Having served in 1967 during the Vietnam War, this American aircraft was one of the first combat helicopters.
The SAMARITAN ambulance is a British armoured vehicle built from a light tank and capable of carrying up to 6 wounded soldiers, in addition to the 2 soldiers who drive it. In accordance with international law, this vehicle, known as an ambulance, was unarmed.
The SCORPION Light Tank is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It served between 1973 and 1994. It carried 3 soldiers and was armed with a 76mm cannon.
The CHIEFTAIN “The Crane” armored recovery vehicle was designed in 1967 for the British Army to work in the field with CHIEFTAIN tanks. Its role was to assist damaged or broken-down tanks. It has been operating in the Jordanian army with tanks since 1982.
The CHIEFTAIN Tank, designed in 1966 for the British Army, was used extensively during the Gulf conflicts between 1980 and 1991. Weighing 55 tons, it could carry 4 soldiers. It joined the Jordanian army in 1982 and remained in service until 2000. It was then renamed KHALID.
The American-designed, armored M42 DUSTER anti-aircraft gun was equipped with two 40mm anti-aircraft guns. It carried 4 soldiers and served in the Jordanian army between 1965 and 1998.
Find out all about diving in Aqaba in this article ! You’ll discover the seabed, coral reefs, wrecks and, of course, the excellent Deep Blue Dive center!
The British-designed armored vehicle FERRET is an armored reconnaissance vehicle that entered service in 1952. It has been used by many countries, notably in the Middle East. With 2 soldiers on board, it served in the Jordanian army between 1963 and 1985.
The RATEL troop carrier is a South African vehicle which went into production in 1976. Weighing 18 tons, it carries 12 soldiers and is armed with various cannons. It joined the Jordanian army in 2002.
The 155mm Canon M1 was manufactured by the Americans from 1939 and used during the Second World War. It had a range of 23km ! This machine was used in the Jordanian army from 196é and took part in various conflicts.
Two jeeps in 5m of water, perfect for snorkeling !
The Jeep is an iconic American military vehicle, mass-produced between 1941 and 1945 for Allied forces during the Second World War. More than a million Jeeps were produced in various military versions. The 1945 Jeep Willys was the first civilian 4×4 to be mass-produced. Jordan began using Jeeps in the 60s with the M40 106mm and into the 90s, mainly as anti-tank vehicles.
Placed on a 5m sandy bottom a few meters from the beach, these 2 Jeeps are ideally placed for snorkeling, even for beginners, as they can be observed from the surface.
The Underwater Military Museum in Aqaba, Jordan, is an exceptional attraction for divers and snorkelers, the only one of its kind in the world, and will give you an experience quite different from those you’re used to. If you can, plan to visit it at least twice to fully appreciate the magic of the site !