North Korea claimed to have tested an underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead

Analysts advised skepticism due to the lack of evidence, although North Korea recently claimed to have tested an underwater drone that could carry a nuclear warhead and unleash a "radioactive tsunami."

The drone, known as the "Unmanned Underwater Nuclear Attack Craft "Haeil," was tested from March 21 to 23, according to a report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It reportedly cruised in the waters off the nation's east coast for more than 59 hours before its test warhead was detonated.

The underwater nuclear strategic weapon's purpose, according to the KCNA story, is to covertly enter operational seas and create a super-scale radioactive tsunami through an underwater explosion to destroy enemy naval striking units and important operational ports. The weapon has reportedly been under development since 2012 and has gone through more than 50 tests in the last two years, according to the KCNA report.

The drone may be launched from any port or towed by a surface ship to start its operations, according to the KCNA article, which also stated that this week's test "proved its dependability and safety and thoroughly validated its fatal attack capacity." Experts questioned North Korea's assertions, pointing out that the country has in the past inflated its capabilities and deployment schedules.

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that North Korea's most recent assertion that it has a nuclear-capable underwater drone "should be viewed with skepticism" because it provided no evidence.

North Korea claimed to have a brand-new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in March 2022, however, this claim was later refuted by analysts.

The Poseidon torpedo, a submarine-launched, nuclear-powered autonomous underwater vehicle that can carry both conventional and nuclear bombs, is said to have been developed by Russia. Using its nuclear propulsion system, the Poseidon could travel almost indefinitely. The alleged new undersea weapon from North Korea differs significantly from the Poseidon in several key ways.

North Korea claims to have tested drones at the same time as Pyongyang claims to have launched cruise missiles with nuclear warheads.

Recently, four of the subsonic missiles flew oval and figure-8 routes at distances of 1,500 and 1,800 kilometers (932 and 1,118 miles), respectively, before striking targets in the East Sea, often known as the Sea of Japan.