28 Mar 2023
‘Haeil-1’ is a possible derivative of the Haeil UUV that was revealed less than a week ago. Additionally, the state media also released photos of ‘Hwasan-31’ (meaning Volcano in English) tactical nuclear warhead, citing that those can be loaded on the “suicide drones”.
According to KCNA, North Korea’s Academy of National Defense Science conducted a drill to test the new ‘Haeil-1’ between March 25th through 27th. The state media released in a statement that:
“our newest and most advanced unmanned underwater nuclear vehicle Haeil-1 was launched from a bay near Wonsan on the afternoon of March 25th.”
It also added that “Haeil-1 successfully cruised in oval-shaped and other geometrically set courses for 41 hours and 27 minutes before reaching the target set near Hwadae-gun, North Hamgyeong Province on the morning of March 27th, where its test nuclear warhead detonated just as planned.”
Judging by the photos released, Haeil-1 vastly differs from Haeil suicide drone in its size and weight. As Haeil-1 is considerably bigger than original Haeil drone, there is a good chance it may carry larger (or more numerous) payloads and feature longer range and endurance.
What is more notable from the KCNA’s report today is the revealing of their tactical nuclear warhead named Hwasan-31. A detailed look into the photo shows that Haeil and Haeil-1 suicide drones are on the lists of weapons that can be equipped with this type of warhead, as well as previously revealed Pukguksong (Polaris) series of SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile).
While North Korea’s hostile moves against South Korea and the United States are nothing new, experts claim that Pyongyang’s recent actions can no longer be seen as a mere propaganda as it was before. North Korea has officially launched Strategic Nuclear Forces (조선인민군 전략핵운용부대) last year and dictated that it would no longer use its nuclear forces not only for its self-defense, but as an active means of offense when it is threatened by external forces.
However, during the meeting today, South Korea’s president Yoon Seok-Yeol today denounced North Korea’s claims on recent military drills, saying that “reckless and baseless attitude of North Korea will put Korean Peninsula into yet another tragedy, and Seoul has no intention to begin peace talks with Pyongyang unless it drops off the urge to own nuclear weapons.”
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