Prime Minister’s mention brings renewed attention to missile, torpedoes at Karwar naval museum

Karwar: A visit to Tagore Beach in Karwar has long offered tourists sweeping views of the Arabian Sea, serene natural surroundings and a close look at iconic military exhibits such as the INS Chapal warship and the Tupolev aircraft.

However, lesser-known relics of India’s naval warfare history — a vintage missile and torpedoes displayed beside the warship — have recently begun drawing unprecedented public attention.

Located in the garden area of the INS Chapal Warship Museum are one P-15U missile and two CET-53M torpedoes, weapons that played a significant role in naval warfare more than five decades ago. Despite being on display for nearly 19 years, these exhibits had largely gone unnoticed by visitors, often overshadowed by the imposing warship and aircraft nearby.

That changed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address on November 30, highlighted naval museums across the country and specifically referred to the presence of missiles at the INS Chapal museum in Karwar. Following this mention, the once-overlooked missile and torpedoes have become a major point of interest for tourists.

Museum authorities say the impact has been immediate and visible. “Earlier, only a handful of visitors stopped to look at the missile and torpedoes, and most of them were people with a defence background,” said a localite. Many visitors now come specifically to see them. With the tourist season underway, we are receiving over 3,000 visitors daily.”

Students, in particular, have shown keen interest, eagerly gathering around the displays to learn about the weapons and their historical significance. Informational boards placed near the exhibits explain their role in India’s naval victories, adding an educational dimension to the visit.

The P-15U missile on display holds special historical importance. During the 1971 India–Pakistan war, when modern long-range missile technology was still in its infancy, this missile played a decisive role in naval operations.

Capable of flying up to 300 metres above sea level and striking targets up to 40 kilometres away, the P-15U was used by the Indian Navy to attack the Karachi port, dealing a major blow to Pakistan’s naval infrastructure. The missile was developed by the former Soviet Union and supplied to India.

In contrast to today’s advanced missile systems like BrahMos, which can strike targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, the P-15U represents an earlier era of warfare. Yet, experts note that its impact during the 1971 conflict was significant enough to instil fear in the enemy and alter the course of naval engagements.

Alongside the missile are two CET-53M torpedoes, each weighing around 1,500 kilograms. Designed to be launched from submarines, these torpedoes carried powerful explosive warheads capable of destroying enemy ships and submarines beneath the sea.

Once neglected and partially hidden by overgrown vegetation, the torpedoes have now been cleaned, repainted and repositioned for clearer viewing.

Museum staff say the renewed interest has also led to better upkeep of the exhibits. Rusted surfaces have been restored, and surrounding areas cleared, making the weapons more accessible and visually striking.

With school excursions and tourist footfall rising, the INS Chapal Warship Museum is emerging not just as a leisure spot but as a living classroom of India’s naval history. The Prime Minister’s mention has, in effect, transformed forgotten relics into focal points of national pride and public curiosity, ensuring that stories of past naval victories continue to inspire future generations.

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