What is North Korea’s Zam-2.0 torpedo system?

The Zam-2.0 is a super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system that North Korea said underwent an underwater test to confirm a technical upgrade. The country did not disclose further details about the weapon.

How is AI used in North Korea’s new torpedo system?

North Korea said AI technology was applied to the torpedo’s target detection and guidance functions. The test also addressed propulsion efficiency and the performance of rocket propulsion devices.

How is North Korea expanding its naval capabilities?

North Korea has combined torpedo development with other naval weapons efforts, including strategic cruise missile launches from a presumed 3,000-ton submarine. It also recently commissioned the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon and Kang Kon destroyers.

N. Korea conducts underwater test of new precision-guided torpedo using AI : KCNA

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Summary

North Korea conducted an underwater test of the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday. The test confirmed a technical upgrade and was described by national defense officials as a major success for naval development. North Korea said artificial intelligence was used for target detection and guidance, amid broader efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities.

Key Facts

North Korea said AI technology was applied to the torpedo’s target detection and guidance functions.
The test was conducted to verify the successful technical upgrade of the Zam-2.0 weapon system.
North Korea said more than 180 related tests had been conducted over the past five years.
North Korea launched two types of strategic cruise missiles from what was presumed to be a 3,000-ton submarine in the East Sea on Wednesday.
North Korea recently commissioned the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon and Kang Kon destroyers in the West Sea and East Sea, respectively.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 17, 2026 9:26 am KST

This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, Thursday, shows the North firing two types of strategic cruise missiles from a submarine the previous day. Yonhap

North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwater test of a new precision-guided torpedo weapon system, noting that the test heralds a "significant" change in the North's naval capabilities.

North Korea test-fired the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday to confirm the successful technical upgrade of the weapon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not disclose further details of the weapon.

Key national defense officials who oversaw the weapon test assessed that it "served as a great success foreseeing a significant change in the actual development of the Navy," the KCNA said.

North Korea said artificial intelligence (AI) technology was applied to the target detection and the guidance function of the torpedo.

"The test proved the core technology for raising the efficiency of propulsion and the performance of rocket propulsion devices," the KCNA said, adding more than 180 rounds of related tests have been conducted over the past five years.

North Korea has been pushing to strengthen its naval capabilities with weapon tests.

Pyongyang launched two types of strategic cruise missiles from what was presumed to be a 3,000-ton submarine in the East Sea on Wednesday. It also recently commissioned the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon and Kang Kon destroyers, respectively in the West Sea and the East Sea.

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