North Korea announced that it has test-fired live ammunition of a new high-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system, the 'Jam-2.0'.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today (October 17) that the "Academy of National Defense Science, the Missile General Bureau, and the Torpedo Weapon Research Bureau conducted an underwater torpedo test-fire on October 15 to confirm the technological upgrading achievements of the new torpedo weapon system."

The news agency reported that the test was "part of the normal activities of defense science research institutions to advance weapon systems technologically," adding that leading officials in the defense science research sector who observed the test were confident it represents "a major achievement heralding a significant change in the practical development of the navy."

KCNA further noted that artificial intelligence (AI) technology was introduced for target search and guidance functions in the new torpedo, and that the performance of a rocket propulsion system and core technologies for enhancing propulsion efficiency—perfected through 180 tests over the past five years—were proven through this test.

News of the test-fire was not reported in the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party organ read by North Korean residents, but was published only by KCNA, which is aimed at external audiences.

The state media did not disclose the specific specifications of the torpedo.

North Korea appears to be putting considerable effort into bolstering its naval power in recent days.

On October 14, it test-fired two types of strategic cruise missiles from vertical launch tubes and torpedo tubes of a submarine presumed to be the "Hero Kim Kun Ok" in the DONGHAE.

It also recently commissioned the 5,000-ton class destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon into the West Sea and DONGHAE fleets, respectively.