Kim fuels the undersea arms race: supertorpedoes set to enter North Korea’s arsenal

Pyongyang has conducted a new test of torpedoes intended for its naval forces, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The test comes as the country intensifies its military testing.

In mid-October, Pyongyang tested a precision torpedo equipped with artificial intelligence for guidance and target detection.

KCNA said the latest test, conducted on Monday, had “verified the combat effectiveness of the new type of high-speed torpedo system”, without providing further details.

According to state media, the North Korean navy is due to begin receiving the weapon in early 2027.

North Korea has stepped up its military testing in recent weeks, including missiles, drones and torpedoes, while leader Kim Jong Un has made strengthening the country’s naval power a priority.

In 2025, Pyongyang unveiled two destroyers, each displacing 5,000 tonnes. It is now seeking to develop a 10,000-tonne class.

Last week, Kim said his country was building a ship with combat capabilities “that no other country in the world possesses”.