DPRK tests underwater nuclear drone for surprise naval attacks
North Korea has announced that it has tested an underwater drone with a nuclear power plant.
This was reported by NK News.
This underwater drone, which is currently under development, is called Haeil. It is capable of carrying a nuclear charge.
The DPRK Ministry of Defense on Friday, January 19, announced the test of the Haeil-5-23 submarine as a response to the latest joint naval exercises involving the military of South Korea, the United States and Japan.
The test was conducted by the Institute of Underwater Weapons Systems at the North Korean National Defense Academy. They took place in the waters of the Sea of Japan.
However, it is not known when these tests were conducted.
The DPRK’s new unmanned system was first tested in March 2023. Then the DPRK state media published photos of an object moving underwater near the surface and an explosion above the water.
It was reported that during the test, the unmanned vehicle was underwater at a depth of 80 to 150 meters for more than 59 hours and detonated a non-nuclear charge in the waters off the east coast.
These tests evaluated all the tactical and technical characteristics and navigation and technical performance of the underwater drone.
According to the DPRK state media, the Haeil submarine system can be used for unexpected naval attacks. The device, or a model of it, was first shown at a parade in Pyongyang in July 2013.
It is also claimed that this drone can destroy ship groups and large ports by forming a large tsunami wave with the help of an underwater nuclear explosion.
According to Pyongyang, this underwater vehicle can be deployed on any coast or seaport or towed by a surface ship for operation.
