A warrior preserved: Helicopter museum opens in Vizag
: The city has added a new attraction to its coastal corridor with the inauguration of a helicopter museum on Beach Road, featuring the de-inducted Mark III Technology Utility Helicopter, the UH-3H.
The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) invested nearly ₹3.5 crore to develop the museum, which was formally opened on Monday.
Following the success of the TU-142 aircraft museum, the submarine museum, and the sea harrier museum, the VMRDA was entrusted with this latest project. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) leased the land to VMRDA, which developed the museum to commemorate the UH-3H's contributions to the
Indian Navy
and the nation.
State ministers V. Anitha and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, MLAs Vamsi Krishna Srinivas and Vishnu Kumar Raju, GVMC Mayor P. Srinivasa Rao, VMRDA Chairperson Pranav Gopal, and Metropolitan Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan participated in the inauguration. The dignitaries also laid the foundation stone for the upcoming 'Trishul and Damru' project at Kailasagiri hilltop park, with a budget of ₹1.5 crore.
The Indian Navy officially bid farewell to the UH-3H after 17 years of service during a de-induction ceremony at INS Dega in June 2024.
To honor its legacy, one aircraft was permanently installed in Visakhapatnam to inspire future generations. Navy officials handed over a commemorative plaque to the state government, marking the formal transfer.
Nicknamed "Saaras," the UH-3H — also known as the Sea King — was acquired from the United States in 2007 along with INS Jalashwa. A fleet of six helicopters was inducted on March 24, 2009, and served with distinction under INAS 350 Squadron at INS Dega until its de-induction on June 28, 2024.
This amphibious, all-weather helicopter featured a semi-monocoque, boat-type hull and an automated folding system for shipboard storage. It had a top speed of 210 km/h, a range of 675 km, and could carry up to 19 passengers. Equipped for anti-submarine warfare, it carried sonar systems, torpedoes, and missiles — and historically, during the Cold War, was capable of carrying a B-57 nuclear bomb.
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