Zam-2.0: North Korea tests high-speed AI-guided torpedo; what we know

The test follows North Korea's underwater launches of two types of strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday (Photo credit: Reuters)

North Korea has tested a new artificial intelligence-equipped torpedo designed to detect and guide itself towards targets, as Pyongyang steps up efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities and develop weapons that could pose a greater challenge to South Korea and the United States. The high-speed, precision-guided torpedo, identified as the Zam-2.0, was tested underwater on Thursday to verify technological upgrades, North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday. The agency described the test as a success, saying it demonstrated improvements in propulsion technology and marked a potentially significant advance in the country's naval development. The test follows North Korea's underwater launches of two types of strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, its first publicly reported underwater missile tests in nearly three years, according to The Washington Post. The latest demonstrations come amid an intensifying arms race on the Korean Peninsula, with both North and South Korea developing advanced weapons systems designed to overcome missile defences.

AI technology and five years of torpedo development

KCNA said artificial intelligence technology had been incorporated into the Zam-2.0's target detection and guidance systems, although it did not provide further technical details about the weapon or explain how the AI functions. The agency said the Thursday test verified the torpedo's upgraded technology, including improvements in propulsion efficiency and the performance of its rocket propulsion system. More than 180 related tests had been conducted over the past five years to develop the underlying technology, it added. North Korean defence officials who oversaw the test described it as a major success that could bring about a "significant change" in the development of the country's navy, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing KCNA. The announcement is the latest in a series of weapons demonstrations by Pyongyang as leader Kim Jong Un prioritises strengthening the country's naval capabilities alongside its established ballistic missile programme. North Korea has also commissioned two 5,000-tonne destroyers, the Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, and is pursuing the development of submarines capable of launching strategic weapons.

Submarine tests add to regional security concerns

The torpedo test comes days after North Korea reported launching two types of strategic cruise missiles from an underwater platform in the country's eastern waters on Wednesday. KCNA said those tests were intended to assess the readiness of underwater combat systems and demonstrate the reliability of the country's war deterrent. In its October 15 report, The Washington Post said the missile launches were likely conducted using the Hero Kim Kun Ok, a submarine unveiled in 2023 that Pyongyang claims can launch tactical nuclear weapons. However, outside experts have questioned the vessel's capabilities, and its operational status remains uncertain. South Korea's military reportedly assessed that the two missiles were launched from a submarine using different launch mechanisms. Analysts said the tests could indicate progress towards deploying the vessel, which would complicate efforts to detect and track North Korean weapons launches. Pyongyang has also been developing a nuclear-powered submarine, unveiled under construction in March 2025, although its completion timeline remains unclear.

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