North Korea says it test fired1 two types of cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines in its eastern waters on Wednesday, according to state media cited by the Associated Press.

State media described the missiles as “strategic,” which may imply an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads. It said the tests were meant to assess the readiness of North Korea’s underwater combat systems, improve the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions and demonstrate the reliability of its nuclear deterrent.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly low under power for the whole flight. AP notes that underwater launches are difficult to detect in advance.

The test follows North Korean launches of hypersonic missile systems on Sept. 20 and Oct. 3, which Pyongyang says are meant to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan. North Korea has also claimed progress in building a nuclear powered submarine it intends to arm with nuclear capable weapons, AP reports.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missiles-south-korea-submarines-a9c469a236ade7921e7dee2456542740