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BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

DPRK unveils warship, eyes tactical nuclear expansion

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Apr 2025 10:15
3 Min Read

The test comes as the DPRK reinforces its nuclear program as the cornerstone of national defense, amid escalating US military deployments and growing regional tensions.

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  • DPRK unveils warship, eyes tactical nuclear expansion
    In this photo provided by the DPRK government, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, front right, and his daughter visit to observe the test-firings, conducted on April 28 and April 29, 2025, of missiles from a newly launched destroyer " Choe Hyon " at an undisclosed place in the DPRK. (AP)

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the accelerated nuclear arming of the country’s navy after overseeing the test-firing of a new warship weapons system, state media reported on Wednesday. The directive marks a significant step in the DPRK’s ambitions to expand its naval-based nuclear weapons capabilities.

Kim supervised the first stage of a two-day weapons test aboard the newly unveiled Choe Hyon destroyer, a 5,000-ton vessel analysts say is likely to be equipped with tactical nuclear missiles. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim instructed military officials to “accelerate the nuclear armament of the navy,” signaling a focus on strengthening sea-based strike potential.

The test comes as the DPRK continues to position its nuclear program as central to national defense. KCNA said the destroyer’s systems include ship-to-ship guided weapons, various ship-based automatic guns, and electronic jamming equipment.

Kim oversees warship weapons tests and urges acceleration

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Tuesday’s trial reportedly involved tactical guided ship-to-ship weapons, anti-aircraft systems, and electronic jamming capabilities. On Monday, the DPRK tested a “supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile, anti-aircraft missile, and 127 mm ship-based automatic gun,” according to KCNA.

Kim lauded Choe Hyon’s integration of modern strike systems, describing it as “effectively combined” with “the most powerful strike means including supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile.”

South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said it is monitoring the DPRK’s naval weapons development closely in coordination with the United States. 

Pyongyang’s navy modernization 

The Choe Hyon destroyer was officially launched on Saturday, with state media showing Kim attending the ceremony alongside his daughter Ju Ae, widely viewed as his likely successor. The warship, expected to enter full operation early next year, is a centerpiece of the DPRK’s broader push to modernize both surface and underwater naval forces.

In March, Kim pledged to radically enhance the country’s naval capabilities, including the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine. The DPRK has also revealed that it is developing underwater nuclear drones capable of generating “radioactive tsunamis”.

Washington, Seoul’s primary defense partner, has ramped up joint military exercises and increased the deployment of strategic assets in the region. Pyongyang, which describes itself as an “irreversible” nuclear weapons state, continues to condemn these drills as acts of provocation.

Read next: DPRK troops fought in Ukraine to support Russia, DPRK confirms

  • South Lebanon
  • United States
  • DPRK
  • nuclear weapons
  • Kim Jong Un

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