Haeil
The Haeil is a series of unmanned underwater vehicles produced by North Korea. First unveiled in 2023, the nuclear-capable Haeil has multiple variants, including three named variants: Haeil-1, Haeil-2 and Haeil-5-23. Development started in 2012, and the first public test of Haeil occurred in March 2023; however, before its public debut, there were more than 50 tests between 2021 and 2023 for Haeil.
Description
The Haeil is claimed to be a UUV that can secretly attacks enemy waters by underwater detonation of nuclear warheads, creating radioactive tsunamis that destroys warships and targets onshore. According to the Korean Central Television, Haeil is an "important, super-powerful absolute weapon of the Republic’s nuclear combat forces that will sink the heinous invasion ships all at once with a tidal wave of vengeance". A Daily NK's source reported that Haeil is long and wide.Haeil can be deployed from coast, towed by surface ships, or launched from Hero Kim Kun Ok submarine. It is capable of carrying Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead.
Variants
The Haeil series has at least three named variants:Haeil-1
The Haeil-1 is claimed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and generating "radioactive tsunami".There are multiple estimates of Haeil-1's size. Radio Free Asia uses images from North Korean state media and estimates that Haeil-1 is about long and wide, while a Japanese estimation measures that Haeil-1 is about long and wide.
Haeil-2
The Haeil-2 has a range of and an average speed of. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Haeil-2 will serve as a promising military advantage of North Korean armed forces, essential for North Korea to counter adversary military actions as well as their threats.Assuming Haeil-2 has a similar diameter to Haeil-1 according to Japanese estimation, Haeil-2 is estimated to have a length of.
Haeil-5-23
The Haeil-5-23 is claimed by North Korea as "under development".By using underwater detonations, Haeil-5-23 may also be able of generate powerful radioactive tsunamis.
The Haeil-5-23 uses a complicated naming scheme, similar to Pulhwasal-3-31. It is used to give an impression that North Korea has developed new weapons.
Other variants
During a military parade held on 27 July 2023, North Korea unveiled a new Haeil variant. The official name of this variant was not known. It is estimated to be smaller than Russia's Poseidon and similar to Haeil-2; however, Haeil-2 has a different rear section and is smaller than this variant.At a military exhibition opened on 4 October 2025, North Korea unveiled what appears to be another new variant of the Haeil series.
History
According to North Korean state media, the development process of Haeil started in 2012. On 27 May 2020, the Haeil was first identified in satellite imagery, as a Planet Labs satellite image spotted a cylindrical object standing at Sinpo Shipyard.During the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea held in January 2021, Haeil was named. Later, in October 2021, at the "Self-Defence-2021" military exhibition, Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea was informally reported about Haeil. After January 2021 and before March 2023, Haeil underwent more than 50 "shakedown" tests, including 29 "weapon tests" guided by Kim Jong Un.
The first public test of Haeil occurred between 21 and 23 March 2023. Several days later, on 25–27 March 2023, another test of a Haeil variant, named "Haeil-1", took place. Haeil-2 was revealed in April 2023 by a test. In January 2024, another variant of Haeil series, named "Haeil-5-23", made its public debut, also by testing.
Deployment
In December 2022, during the Sixth Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea decided to deploy Haeil.In September 2025, Daily NK reported that North Korea had ordered trial deployment of Haeil. A three-stage deployment process of Haeil was also planned.
List of tests
Strategic implications
North Korea may use the tests of Haeil to demonstrate its nuclear deterrence capabilities. However, many South Korean and Western analysts remain skeptical about its power.According to Ankit Panda, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analyst, Haeil may be vulnerable to anti-submarine warfares and preemptive strikes if it moves away from North Korea's coastal water and enters enemy's ports.