North Korea conducts test of new cluster munition warhead

North Korean defense technology institutes conducted a test of a new cluster munition warhead designed for tactical ballistic missiles on October 31, 2026. The test aimed to evaluate the operational capability and destructive power of the system, which releases multiple submunitions over a target area. State media reported that the test successfully demonstrated the warhead's ability to destroy an area ranging from 12 to 13 hectares, or approximately 130,000 square meters.

According to an official from the North Korean Missile Administration, there are four categories of such cluster warheads currently in development. Following the success of the recent test of the "Type 2" standardized warhead, the authorities have announced plans to deploy all four types of these munitions to the country's armed forces by the end of 2026. This development marks a significant expansion in the tactical capabilities of the North Korean military, specifically regarding wide-area target neutralization.