The last two years have seen a series of moves that have left the U.S. Navy in an “awkward” place. In essence, the country faces a major challenge and a significant strategic threat from the development of new unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) by Russia and North Korea, allies under the growing “Common Sword” military coalition that includes China. and Iran intensified joint naval exercises. In the background is a series of devices with unprecedented nuclear capabilities.

The “new” submarine warfare. The footage was captured in May as China, Iran and Russia were spotted conducting a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman, a key waterway near the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Staging was all that was sought, as in the staging we described when Russia deployed its fleet alongside China in the Okean-2024 exercises.

Geopolitically and focused on the U.S. Navy and its allies, this Joint Saber coalition represents a growing concern for global military strategists. Why? The UUVs under development, on which we will now comment, are theoretically capable of carrying nuclear payloads and generating what are called “radioactive tsunamis”, transforming the dynamics of modern naval conflicts into something completely unprecedented.

North Korea Haeil. The BBC reported this at the beginning of the year. It was first presented at a nuclear parade and most recently claimed to have conducted the first test of the “Haeil-5-23” underwater nuclear weapons system in response to joint military exercises between North Korea, the United States, South Korea and Japan. The system, an underwater drone capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was (supposedly) tested off the country’s east coast.

We are talking about a weapon that is 16 meters long, has an estimated range of 1,000 nautical kilometers, can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead, and has the potential to attack targets in South Korea and Japan. Powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system, Haeil must be launched from land or modified platforms because North Korea does not have submarines large enough to deploy it.

The truth was that there was no independent evidence to confirm the tests, but the announcement answered existing doubts. North Korea has claimed progress since 2023 on its Haeil system, which can infiltrate enemy waters and cause massive underwater explosions. In this context, although the regime presents these weapons as innovative, analysts point out that their threats may be lower compared to nuclear ballistic missiles. According to Ahn Chan-il, a researcher at the World Institute for North Korea Studies, the system is still in the testing phase.

Russian Poseidon. We said it last year too. Russia has made progress in the development of Poseidon, a nuclear submarine torpedo that can destroy coastal cities through radioactive tsunamis. The weapon, first revealed in 2015 and reportedly tested in 2016, combines extreme autonomy with a nuclear design that challenges current defense capabilities. It is reported that Russia plans to produce at least 30 of these torpedoes and they will be deployed on submarines modified according to their size and weight.

We are talking about a weapon that is powered by a compact nuclear reactor, can reach a speed of 185 km/h, can travel up to 10,000 kilometers, and can operate at a depth of 1,000 meters. It is designed to evade detection using advanced acoustic tracking technologies and contains a nuclear payload with an estimated yield of several megatons, potentially reaching 100, whose destructive capacity significantly exceeds that of the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear bomb tested.

Poseidon’s influence on strategic stability. Poseidon’s development reflects Russia’s reaction to the US withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which Putin said was “the cornerstone of international security”. The torpedo is intended to bypass U.S. missile defense systems, making it capable of attacking carrier groups and coastal targets, while also reinforcing the Russian nuclear doctrine of “de-escalation to reduce tensions,” an approach that uses nuclear threats to achieve strategic objectives.

The weapon also demonstrates the risks of autonomous systems in the nuclear field, where reduced human control increases the likelihood of errors and misunderstandings in crisis situations. In particular, it raises critical questions about the ethics and security of these technologies.

Radioactive tsunamis. The operational concept of Poseidon or Haeil type unmanned aerial vehicles that alter the natural environment and use it as a weapon appears to violate the principles regarding the use of weapons in international law. Nuclear explosions designed to create radioactive tsunamis can be classified as environmental modification techniques prohibited under the ENMOD Convention. Additionally, catastrophic and long-term effects on the environment and population may contravene the provisions of Additional Protocol I.

Geopolitical risks. There is no doubt that the example of Poseidon or Haeil (China’s most advanced submarine system appears to have sunk at the last moment) reflects the use of systems that pose a significant tactical challenge due to their ability to be launched from submarines or military ships. surface that makes detection and intervention difficult.

In addition to directly threatening civilian and military targets, these UUVs could, on paper, disrupt global trade routes and cause irreparable damage to undersea internet cables that connect continents and are critical to the global communications infrastructure. Recent suspicions of sabotage of cables in the Baltic Sea reinforce the fragility of these systems.

America’s unrestrained response. While countries such as Russia and North Korea are developing these offensive underwater weapons, the US Navy appears to be focusing on UAVs designed for other more traditional missions such as mine detection and reconnaissance, with models such as the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish and Knifefish.

However, experts warn that this strategy leaves the country unprepared for unusual threats called “radioactive tsunamis.” In fact, there are currently no specific countermeasures to protect against these weapons, and no clear steps have been taken to develop similar systems.

Psychological and economic impact. It also points to the ability of these UUVs to launch surprise attacks and create not only physical destruction but also psychological and economic chaos. Consider that coastal cities such as New York, Los Angeles or Tokyo may be particularly vulnerable.

As a result, these burgeoning weapons are redefining the warfare landscape and increasing the unpredictability of military operations. The identified torpedo drones pose a threat not only because of their destructive capacity, but also because of the precedent they set for the use of autonomous technologies and the environment as weapons. Weapons proliferation raises serious ethical, strategic and legal concerns; Therefore, greater legal scrutiny and the search for arms control mechanisms to prevent proliferation are vital.

Image | Nara, Navy Recognition, HI Sutton/Covert Shores

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