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

North Korea conducted a test of its Zam-2.0 torpedo, an AI-guided weapon designed for precision targeting, marking a significant advancement in the nation's naval capabilities. The high-speed torpedo, capable of detecting and navigating towards targets autonomously, was successfully tested underwater, according to state-run KCNA.

The test showcased improvements in propulsion technology, with KCNA citing it as a potential breakthrough in North Korea's naval development. This follows a series of underwater missile launches by North Korea, including two strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, signaling an intensifying arms race on the Korean Peninsula. The AI technology incorporated into the Zam-2.0 remains undisclosed, but the torpedo's development has been supported by over 180 related tests over the past five years.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been focused on bolstering the country's naval capabilities alongside its ballistic missile program, with the addition of two 5,000-tonne destroyers and submarines capable of launching strategic weapons. The submarine test days prior to the torpedo launch has raised concerns about regional security, as North Korea claims the Hero Kim Kun Ok submarine, unveiled in 2023, can launch tactical nuclear weapons. However, outside experts have questioned its operational status.