In brief
North Korean state media confirmed the test of a new high‑speed torpedo off its east coast on Monday, verifying its combat effectiveness. The weapon, developed jointly by defense research institutes, is slated for navy‑fleet integration at the start of 2027. Additional reports highlight the system’s AI‑enabled precision guidance and mark a significant advancement in Pyongyang’s undersea armament capabilities.
North Korea reportedly fired a new high‑speed torpedo in the waters off its east coast on Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced Tuesday, confirming the weapon’s combat effectiveness and signalling its upcoming entry into the navy. The test was covered by Xinhua, which reported that the torpedo, jointly developed by the country’s defence scientific research institutes, proved capable of meeting operational requirements and will be commissioned from the beginning of 2027.
KCNA said the test was a major step forward for the DPRK’s under‑sea warfare technology, focusing on the torpedo’s rapid‑launch capability and improved guidance systems. The agency described the system as “high‑speed” and noted that it is expected to enhance the navy’s strike potential against surface vessels and submarines alike.
In related reporting, the Philippine Inquirer highlighted that last month North Korea had claimed it had tested its Zam‑2.0 torpedo, a “super‑speed” precision‑guided weapon that allegedly incorporates artificial intelligence to improve target‑tracking accuracy. That claim was not independently verified and was presented as a separate announcement by the government, but it fits within the same broader development program referenced by KCNA.
KBS World Radio also reported the test in the East Sea, stating that the navy plans to deploy the system starting early next year. The source did not provide a detailed technical breakdown but echoed KCNA’s statement about the weapon’s operational readiness.
No direct quotes from officials were released in the available coverage, and all claims remain based on state media statements. Independent verification of the weapon’s launch and performance has not yet been obtained by foreign observers or intelligence services.
Neatly, the DPRK’s announcement positions the new torpedo as a core component of its expanding naval arsenal, and the combined reports from Xinhua, KCNA, Inquirer, and KBS World Radio provide a multi‑source snapshot of the development’s trajectory.
