Politics
North Korea has tested a new type of high-speed torpedo equipped with artificial intelligence (AI),
North Korea has tested a new type of high-speed torpedo equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), capable of identifying underwater targets and accurately striking them. According to North Korean state media, the test is part of the country's efforts to advance its military technology and enhance its weapons capabilities.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday that the test of the “Super-Speed” ZM 2.0 torpedo system was conducted on Thursday. The purpose was to verify technical improvements made to the weapon. According to the agency, artificial intelligence has been incorporated into the target identification and torpedo guidance systems. More than 180 tests of various types have been conducted on the system over the past five years.
The announcement comes just days after North Korea reported testing two types of cruise missiles launched from a submarine. Analysts say that growing military cooperation with Russia could create further opportunities for Pyongyang to advance its missile and weapons technology. Experts say that incorporating AI into torpedoes could help them distinguish between genuine targets and decoys. The technology could also enable the weapons to make autonomous decisions, change course and evade potential threats.
According to Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University in South Korea, South Korea and the United States use decoys to divert torpedoes away from their intended targets. However, artificial intelligence could prove effective against this strategy. Earlier this month, North Korea also claimed to have tested an AI-assisted intermediate-range hypersonic missile. In response, South Korea tested its own hypersonic glide weapon, describing it as a key strategic asset. Pyongyang questioned the success of South Korea's test, but Seoul rejected the claim.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. According to analyst Yang Moo-jin, North Korea is seeking to demonstrate the superiority of its weapons. However, he noted that reducing the underwater noise generated by torpedoes remains a significant technical challenge.
