North Korea Says It Tested AI-Guided Torpedo System
Pyongyang says a test of its upgraded Zam-2.0 precision-guided torpedo verified propulsion improvements and the use of artificial intelligence for target detection and guidance.
North Korea said Saturday that it had conducted an underwater test of a newly upgraded precision-guided torpedo system, describing the trial as an important step in the development of its naval capabilities.
The test of the Zam-2.0 high-speed torpedo took place Thursday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The agency said the trial was intended to confirm technical upgrades to the weapon, but it did not disclose where the test occurred, what target was used or detailed performance figures such as speed, range and accuracy.
KCNA said artificial intelligence technology had been incorporated into the torpedo’s target-detection and guidance functions. It also claimed the test verified core technology designed to improve propulsion efficiency and the performance of rocket-propulsion devices. Those technical claims were presented by North Korean state media and were not independently verified in the report.
Defense officials who observed the trial called it a success that could bring a significant change to the practical development of the North Korean navy. KCNA said more than 180 related tests had been carried out during the past five years, indicating that the system has undergone an extended development process rather than a single demonstration.
The announcement adds to a series of recent steps by Pyongyang to expand the range and sophistication of its naval weapons. North Korea said it launched two types of strategic cruise missiles from what was believed to be a 3,000-ton submarine in the East Sea on Wednesday, one day before the torpedo test.
The country has also recently commissioned two 5,000-ton destroyers, the Choe Hyon in the West Sea and the Kang Kon in the East Sea. Those additions, together with submarine-launched cruise missile activity and the new torpedo claim, underscore Pyongyang’s emphasis on strengthening maritime strike capabilities.
Important questions about the Zam-2.0 remain unanswered. North Korea did not provide evidence allowing outside experts to assess the artificial intelligence component, the degree of autonomous guidance involved or whether the weapon is ready for operational deployment. The limited disclosure means the test’s military significance cannot yet be measured independently.
The development is nevertheless likely to draw close attention from South Korea and other regional governments because improved underwater targeting and propulsion could complicate naval defense planning. Further assessment will depend on additional technical disclosures, imagery or independently observable tests.