On Saturday, North Korea asserted that it had tested a brand-new underwater drone that was “capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.”
According to a report by the government-run Korean Central News Agency, the drone, known as the “Haeil-2 Unmanned Underwater Nuclear Attack Boat,” was tested between April 4 and 7. (KCNA).
Before its test warhead was exploded underwater on Thursday afternoon, it drifted in the waters off North Korea‘s east coast for more than 71 hours, according to KCNA.
This is the second time in weeks the reclusive country claims to have tested a nuclear capable drone. In March, Pyongyang said it had tested the Haeil-1, which it claimed was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could create a “radioactive tsunami.”
“As a result of the test, the reliability and fatal strike capability of the underwater strategic weapon system were perfectly proved,” KCNA said of the latest test, of the Haeil-2.
Pyongyang claims to have been developing nuclear capable drones since 2012 and to have carried out more than 50 tests in the past two years.
However, analysts have poured doubt on North Korea’s claims, noting that North Korea has previously exaggerated its capabilities and deployment time lines.
The news follows tests last month of what North Korea said were nuclear-capable cruise missiles.