North Korea says it tested an AI-guided torpedo system

Summary

North Korea says it successfully tested a new underwater torpedo on Thursday to verify technological upgrades, according to the South China Morning Post, citing state news agency KCNA. KCNA said the system uses artificial intelligence for target detection and guidance, and that the test verified propulsion technology developed through more than 180 tests over five years. The Japan Times and Euronews report that the announcement followed submarine-launched cruise-missile tests; Euronews says those took place on Wednesday, while The Hindu says recent demonstrations included the country's first underwater-launched missile tests in nearly three years. This follows reports that North Korea tested cruise missiles designed to be fired from submarines.

Timeline

1. NDTV

   16 Oct 2026, 22:47 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that North Korea tested a new AI-equipped torpedo, the latest in a run of North Korean weapons launches.

2. South China Morning Post

   16 Oct 2026, 23:37 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that KCNA described Thursday's underwater test of a new torpedo system as successful, saying it verified propulsion technology developed through more than 180 tests over five years and that AI was used for target detection and guidance.

3. The Japan Times

   17 Oct 2026, 04:51 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that North Korea's announcement came days after Pyongyang said it had test-fired two types of cruise missiles from a submarine.

4. The Hindu

   17 Oct 2026, 04:54 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that North Korea says it tested a new torpedo system with AI capabilities, amid recent weapons demonstrations that included the country's first underwater-launched missile tests in nearly three years.

5. ABC News

   17 Oct 2026, 05:11 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that North Korea says it tested a new torpedo system using artificial intelligence for target detection and guidance.

6. Euronews

   17 Oct 2026, 07:52 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that North Korea's torpedo test announcement followed tests of two types of underwater-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, which it says are believed to be part of a push to bolster naval capabilities.