© A S☫heil presentation; First published 24 March 2023; Updated 26 May 2023


1. Table of Contents Updated 8 April 2023

2. Introduction

3. Background Updated 26 May 2023

4. First announcement of the Haeil 《해일》 Nuclear Attack UUV Updated 30 March 2023

5. Specs Updated 27 March 2023

6. First announcement of the Haeil-1 《해일-1형》 Nuclear Attack UUV Updated 30 March 2023

7. First announcement of the Haeil-2 《해일-2형》 Nuclear Attack UUV Updated 8 April 2023

8. First announcement of the Hwasan-31 《화산-31》 nuclear warhead Updated 30 March 2023

9. Forecast

10. Conclusion


In the continuous effort to match the U.S. military threat with an effective nuclear deterrence, North Korea has tested over the recent years several new basing systems for its nuclear weapons, including truck launched, train launched, reservoir launched, submarine launched and silo launched.

It was only a matter of time before aircraft launched ballistic missile, nuclear powered strategic missile, nuclear attack unmanned underwater vehicle would join the new strategic weapons along the Hwasal series cruise missiles, and Hwasong-8 hypersonic glide vehicle.


The Poseidon, previously known by Russian codename Status-6, is an autonomous, nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle reportedly in production by Rubin Design Bureau, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The Poseidon is one of the six new Russian strategic weapons announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 March 2018.

As a new intercontinental, nuclear armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo, the Poseidon is intended to serve as response to U.S. withdrawal from the ABM treaty and to increase the Russian capability to overcome the U.S. missile defense systems, such as anti-ballistic missiles, railguns, or laser weapons, etc.

The Poseidon warhead can contaminate a large area with radiation. For this purpose, the Poseidon is speculated to be equipped with a cobalt bomb. The Poseidon could be a radiological second strike weapon.

If used against an aircraft carrier battle group, the battle group would have reduced chances of defending itself against it. The drone could detonate its very large warhead at standoff range, and anti-submarine warfare units would have very little time to react because of the speed at which it travels.

It is probably the only strategic weapon system capable to survive the U.S. orbital Starlink WMD.

|1|[web.archive.org] |2|[archive.ph] |3|[archive.ph] |1|[web.archive.org] |2|[archive.ph] ▲ Poseidon has a 100 megatons yield twice as powerful as Tsar bomb? It is claimed in this magazine.

Originally posted by kcna.kp:

Important Weapon Test and Firing Drill Conducted in DPRK

Pyongyang, March 24 (KCNA) -- The intentional, persistent and provocative war drills and confrontational stance of the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet regime of traitors have driven the military and political situation of the Korean peninsula to an irreversibly dangerous point.

The reckless and dangerous nature of the confrontational hysteria recently betrayed by the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet regime of traitors is unprecedented in history.

The U.S. imperialists and their stooges kicked off a large-scale dangerous drill, an actual drill for "occupying" the DPRK in the light of its form and contents, in defiance of the repeated stern warnings by the DPRK government, army and people. It is expected that the U.S. imperialists and their stooges will get more frantic in their persistent military provocations to aggravate the situation as ever with a more aggressive stand of confrontation.

This grave challenging situation against the state security of the DPRK requires it to have stronger war deterrents for firmly supporting the peaceful socialist state building activities - the more developed, multi-faceted and offensive nuclear attack capability - and increase its capability in every way in order to deter war and firmly preserve peace and prosperity with its tremendous might.

The hostile forces' anti-DPRK war scenario based on the deployment of huge nuclear strategic assets, the amount of forces involved in carrying it out and the ensuing peculiar mode of war urgently require the DPRK to make its entire armed forces gird themselves for an all-out war and bolster up its nuclear force both in quality and quantity on a priority basis.

The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is energetically guiding the continuous military activities to bolster up its nuclear war deterrence for self-defence in order to strengthen the country's defence posture in every way and promptly counter and thoroughly control and manage any nuclear war threats and challenges by the enemy.

After organizing and guiding a combined tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack, the WPK Central Military Commission commanded drills from March 21 to 23, which served as a demonstration of another military attack capability, in order to alert the enemy to an actual nuclear crisis and verify the reliability of the nuclear force for self-defence.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un guided the important military activities.

A new underwater attack weapon system test was conducted from March 21 to 23.

Since 2012, the DPRK's defence scientific research institute has conducted the development of the underwater nuclear strategic attack weapon system based on a new operational concept, studying warfare in the new era and defining the orientation of the development of the self-defence capabilities to outpace the military and technical superiority of the imperialist aggressor forces.

The Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee was informally reported about the underwater strategic nuclear weapon system at the Defence Development Exhibition Self-Defence-2021 held in October 2021.

This secret weapon was named "Unmanned Underwater Nuclear Attack Craft 'Haeil'" at the 8th Congress of the WPK.

It has undergone more than 50 shakedowns for the past two years since the Congress.

Kim Jong Un personally guided 29 weapon tests and its operational deployment was decided at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK.

The mission of the underwater nuclear strategic weapon is to stealthily infiltrate into operational waters and make a super-scale radioactive tsunami through underwater explosion to destroy naval striker groups and major operational ports of the enemy.

This nuclear underwater attack drone can be deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation.

The underwater nuclear attack drone, which was deployed for a drill off the coast of Riwon County of South Hamgyong Province on Tuesday, reached the target point in the waters off Hongwon Bay set as a mock enemy port with its test warhead detonating underwater on Thursday afternoon after cruising along an oval and pattern-8 course at an underwater depth of 80 to 150 meters in the East Sea of Korea for 59 hours and 12 minutes.

The test correctly estimated all the tactical and technical specifications and navigational and technical indices of the underwater nuclear attack drone, verified its reliability and safety and fully confirmed its lethal strike capability.

On March 22 there took place a launching drill to let strategic cruise missile units get familiar with the procedures and processes for carrying out the tactical nuclear attack missions.

Prior to the drill, there was training to reexamine the operational normality and the systematic safety of technical and mechanical devices, including the procedures for authenticating the nuclear attack order and the launch approval system, and to let the strategic cruise missile sub-units get familiar with action methods and handling of equipment through repeated practice.

The strategic cruise missile was tipped with a test warhead simulating a nuclear warhead.

Two "Hwasal-1"-type strategic cruise missiles and two "Hwasal-2"-type strategic cruise missiles, launched in Jakdo-dong, Hungnam District, Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, accurately hit the target set in the East Sea of Korea after flying on their programmed 1 500km- and 1 800km-long oval and pattern-8 orbits for 7 557 to 7 567 seconds and 9 118 to 9 129 seconds respectively.

The drill also involved the cruise missiles' minimum-altitude flight test and the test for estimating their capability for ever-changing-altitude control and evasion flight.

The drill also verified once again the operational reliability of nuclear explosion control devices and detonators by applying the mid-air-explosion (600 meters above the target) strike mode to two different missiles.

The major weapon test and launching drills had no negative impact on the security of the neighboring countries.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was greatly satisfied with the results of the major weapon test and the launching drill for a strategic purpose.

Underlining the need to neutralize every attempt of the enemy to invade the DPRK and creditably defend our people's peaceful life and future and the cause of socialist construction by more overwhelmingly and offensively countering to the end the reckless military provocations being escalated by the U.S. and the south Korean authorities in disregard of our patience and warning, he set forth the immediate militant tasks and permanent policies for doing so.

Bitterly criticizing the U.S. imperialists for desperately resorting to military moves imperiling the regional situation under the pretence of fulfilling their commitment to defending allies and under various pretexts of tightening alliance, encouraging the misguided imprudence and "bravery" of the south Korean puppet regime of traitors and inciting them to impudent actions, he referred to the need to take offensive actions to make the enemy inviting the danger with thoughtless and reckless acts realize the DPRK's unlimited nuclear war deterrence capability being bolstered up at a greater speed.

He expressed his will to make the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet regime plunge into despair for their choice through the high-profile demonstration of the powerful war deterrence and make them understand by themselves that they are bound to lose more than they get and face a greater threat due to the strengthening of the military alliance and the expansion of war drills in the region.

He, on behalf of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government, seriously warned once again the enemies that they should stop the reckless anti-DPRK war drills.

The nuclear force of the DPRK will further enhance its responsible militant function and mission with its more destructive might to thoroughly shatter the war maniacs' confrontational wild dream and bolster up its overwhelming nuclear counteraction posture in every way, true to the expectations and desire of the Party, government and people of the DPRK for deterring war and preserving peace and stability. -0-

www.kcna.kp (Juche112.3.24.)

▲ Haeil Nuclear Attack UUV. 23 March 2023.[web.archive.org]
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▲ Haeil Nuclear Attack UUV. 23 March 2023.[web.archive.org]
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▲ Haeil Nuclear Attack UUV. 23 March 2023.[web.archive.org]
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▲ 3D rendering of Haeil Nuclear Attack UUV. 23 March 2023.[web.archive.org]
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The North Korean version of Poseidon's weapon, the strongest weapon of mankind, 'Tsunami' appeared

Reporter Moon Kyung Hwan |Article Entry 2023/03/24 [10:13]

North Korea developed an underwater drone through a report on the 24th of the Rodong Sinmun, and announced the name of the nuclear unmanned underwater attack boat 'Tsunami'.

North Korea said that the 'tsunami' is a method of destroying and annihilating the enemy's fleet and major naval ports by creating a super-strong radioactive tsunami through underwater explosions, and can be launched from the coast, ports, and ships.

It is said that it was in 2012 when North Korea started developing this weapon.

Russia's Poseidon was first exposed to the media under the development name of 'Marine Multi-Purpose System Status 6' in 2015, so it seems to have started development at the same time.

'Tsunami' was confirmed at the 8th Congress of the Labor Party held in January 2021, and was reported privately to the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Labor Party at the Defense Development Exhibition 'Self-2021' in October of the same year.

For about two years, it went through 50 rounds of tests at various final stages, and it is said that Chairman Kim Jong Un personally guided 29 weapons tests.

As a result, at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Labor Party held at the end of last year, the actual deployment was decided.

Under the on-site guidance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea conducted a 'tsunami' firing drill from March 21 to 23.

Departing from the coast of Liwon-gun, South Hamgyong Province on the 21st, 'Tsunami' sailed for 59 hours and 12 minutes (2 days, 11 hours and 12 minutes) at a depth of 80 to 150 meters along an elliptical and figure-8 path set in the East Sea, The target was reached and the test warhead exploded underwater.

Considering that the speed of a typical torpedo is 100 kilometers per hour, it is estimated that it can travel approximately 6,000 kilometers.

If it is a nuclear-powered torpedo, it may have virtually unlimited range.

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North Korea’s nuclear unmanned attack boat debuts, and sea-based nuclear weapons are developing towards diversification

March 25, 2023 07:40

Li Jie, a naval expert, said in an interview with The Paper (www.thepaper.cn) that North Korea’s official media stated that North Korea’s nuclear unmanned underwater attack craft is similar to Russia’s Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle. Combat weapons, both of which can carry nuclear warheads for nuclear strikes or nuclear deterrence, are strategic weapons.
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The Russian Izvestia previously reported that Alexander Mikhailov, director of the Russian Military and Political Analysis Bureau, said that Poseidon can travel at a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour at a depth of 1,000 meters underwater, and can carry conventional warheads or a nuclear warhead equivalent to 2 Megatons of TNT.

The analysis pointed out that once the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned vehicle explodes near the enemy's coast, it can trigger a tsunami impact with a height of 500 meters and a width of 550 kilometers, which can not only completely destroy the enemy's naval base, but also destroy coastal cities. Devastating blow.
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According to the Russian Sputnik News Agency, Kim Dong Yeop, an associate professor at South Korea's Chosun University, believes that according to the parameters announced by North Korea, this new type of weapon may be able to directly strike US bases in Japan and Guam.

Based on the analysis of photos released by North Korea, Li Jie believes that the diameter of the Tsunami nuclear unmanned underwater attack vehicle exceeds the common diameter of heavy torpedoes (533mm). In the caverns, they can be put into the water and driven out of the caverns during combat. In order to enhance the survivability, North Korea may also build multiple caverns, some of which deploy attack boats, and some do not deploy them.

The emergence of the Tsunami nuclear unmanned underwater attack boat will obviously increase the strike means of North Korea's sea-based nuclear forces. Prior to this, North Korea has publicly tested submarine-launched ballistic missiles and submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles.
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Compared with ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, nuclear unmanned underwater attack vehicles sail underwater and use seawater to improve concealment, and the size of nuclear unmanned underwater attack vehicles is much smaller than that of submarines equipped with missiles. It is difficult for existing anti-submarine systems to effectively deal with this weapons.
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Li Jie added the analysis, North Korea claims that this weapon can also be used to attack enemy fleets, and the greatest threat to North Korea is the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier formation, which is also frequently used by the United States. Therefore, the nuclear unmanned underwater attack vehicle will become the core weapon of North Korea to counter the US aircraft carrier.

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Underwater Strategic Weapon System Test Held

Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) -- The Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK conducted another test of underwater strategic weapon system from March 25 to 27.

The underwater nuclear attack drone "Haeil-1", deployed for the test in Wonsan Bay on the afternoon of March 25, reached the target point in the waters off Hwadae County of North Hamgyong Province on the morning of March 27 after cruising along an jagged and oval course simulating the distance of the 600 kilometers in the East Sea of Korea for 41 hours and 27 minutes and correctly set off the test warhead underwater.

Through the test, all tactical and technical specifications and underwater navigational and technical indices were correctly estimated and the reliability and safety of the weapon system were verified. -0-
www.kcna.kp (Juche112.3.28.)


▲ Haeil-1 Nuclear Attack UUV.[web.archive.org]
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Underwater Strategic Weapon System Tested in DPRK

Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- A national defence science research institute in the DPRK carried out a test of underwater strategic weapon system from April 4 to 7.

The underwater nuclear attack drone "Haeil-2" entered into the test in Kajin Port, Kumya County, South Hamgyong Province in the afternoon on April 4. It cruised 1 000 km of simulated underwater distance in elliptical and "8" patterns set in the East Sea of Korea for 71 hours and 6 minutes. In the afternoon on April 7 it arrived in the waters off Ryongdae Port, Tanchon City, South Hamgyong Province, the place of simulated target, where the test warhead accurately detonated underwater.

The test perfectly proved the reliability of the underwater strategic weapon system and its fatal attack ability.

The system will serve as an advantageous and prospective military potential of the armed forces of the DPRK essential for containing all evolving military actions of enemies, removing threats and defending the country. -0-
www.kcna.kp (Juche112.4.8.)

▲ Haeil-2 Nuclear Attack UUV.[web.archive.org]
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Pictures of the Hwasan-31 《화산-31》 (Volcano-31) miniaturized nuclear warhead have been disclosed on 28 March 2023. Background posters show the Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead fitted inside the Haeil-2 《해일-2형》 (Tsunami-2) Nuclear Attack UUV, among 8 types of nuclear vectors.

▲ Hwasan-31 《화산-31》 nuclear warhead. 28 March 2023 (Juche112.3.28.)[web.archive.org]
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No indication of a nuclear powered propulsion system.

For increased speed, range and autonomy, nuclear power plants can reasonably be expected to be fitted in future upgrade.

Increased yield salted thermonuclear warheads could also improve the overall deterrence of this weapon system.

Future larger size nuclear attack UUV propelled by nuclear reactor would even be able to target Hawaii, Guam and even the U.S. mainland Pacific coast.


Unlike all endoatmospheric delivery methods, the Haeil-class Nuclear Attack UUV will probably be the only one to be able to survive the U.S. orbital Starlink WMD.

But the U.S. anti-submarine warfare will still be a real challenge for the DPRK's strategic naval forces.

Swarm saturation attack might be the best option, with a first nuclear tsunami targeting the U.S. aircraft carrier group and cleaning the way toward the South Korean and Japanese coastal cities for the second wave of Haeil-class Nuclear Attack UUVs.