It measures 67.5 meters in length, 11.7 in height and 6.5 meters in width, with a displacement of 1,300 tonnes,[1] and was last used by the Royal Malaysian Navy and French Navy in July 2009, when journey through the Atlantic Ocean was made.

On 23 September 2011, Malaysian Ambassador to France Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal signed an agreement for the ownership of the unused submarine with French Defence Minister.

A total of 25,000 visitors flocked into the museum, including the Governor of Malacca Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

It was officiated on 4 March 2012 by Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when the submarine was handed over from the Ministry of Defence to Malacca State Government.

In March 2015, it was decided that the museum would be upgraded by adding prayer room and shops over the next two years.