Jordan has sunken tanks, troop carriers and even a helicopter in a bid to create an underwater military museum under the water.
The country is hoping the 19 decommissioned pieces of military equipment will attract tourists and divers to the resort of Aqaba.
The ‘Underwater Museum’ includes many tanks, an ambulance, a military crane, troop carrier, anti-aircraft battery, guns and a combat helicopter.
Each was sunk “stationed along the coral reefs imitating a tactical battle formation”, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority said in a statement.
The museum hopes to be a new type of diving haven and will allow tourists to enjoy the ‘exhibits’ via diving, snorkelling and via glass-bottomed boats.
The sinking ceremony was marked by music from the Jordanian Armed Forces.
The norther Red Sea is a huge attraction for divers, because its protected coral reefs are in relatively good health considering global warming.
The Aqaba authorities said they removed all ‘hazardous materials’ from the military hardware before sinking commenced.
It has also said that it hopes the 19 military vehicles will allow the creation of artificial reefs and promote the recovery of the area’s natural beauty.
