
North Korea to deploy new artillery and commission its first destroyer
North Korea says it will deploy new artillery aimed at Seoul and will commission its first destroyer, the Choe Hyon, signaling a further expansion of its military capabilities.
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North Korea says it will deploy new artillery aimed at Seoul and will commission its first destroyer, the Choe Hyon, signaling a further expansion of its military capabilities.

North Korea said it will deploy 155-mm self-propelled guns with a range over 37 miles capable of hitting the Seoul area and will commission its first destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in coming weeks. Kim Jong Un inspected a munitions factory, oversaw testing, and rode the destroyer to review its maneuverability, with his teenage daughter aboard. The regime also rewrote its constitution to drop references to peaceful unification and signaled a harder line toward the South while planning further border artillery deployments and two additional destroyers.

North Korea said it will deploy new long-range artillery capable of striking the Seoul metropolitan area this year and will commission its first naval destroyer in coming weeks, a move Kim Jong Un showcased by visiting a munitions factory and inspecting the destroyer Choe Hyon. The weapons, including 155-mm self-propelled gun-howitzers with a range of over 60 kilometers, accompany broader border deployments and a hard‑line shift reflected in North Korea’s public stance, signaling increased tensions with South Korea as diplomacy remains stalled. Kim’s daughter was photographed aboard the destroyer during the public display.

Ukraine’s 2026 operations have escalated a drone- and mid-range strike campaign that targets Russian artillery, drone operators, ground lines of communication, and air-defense assets behind the front lines. This has degraded Russia’s artillery preparation and communications, generated local Ukrainian gains in multiple sectors, and forced Moscow to bolster rear-area drone networks and form new Combat Army Reserve units (BARS). The broader campaign includes strikes in occupied Crimea and Donbas, amid sanctions dynamics involving Belarus and Western responses. Overall, Ukraine’s drone-centric campaign is complicating Russia’s Spring–Summer 2026 offensive and reshaping battlefield decision-making.

NATO artillery crews in northern Norway are learning to integrate cheap reconnaissance drones with traditional fire support, applying lessons from Russia’s war in Ukraine; while drones help find targets and guide shells, the brutal Arctic conditions strain equipment, reinforcing that artillery remains central. British, Norwegian, and US Marines are practicing drone-assisted targeting and shoot‑and‑scoot tactics during Cold Response 26 in Setermoen.

Israel has officially deployed its new SIGMA 155 self-propelled howitzer and Iron Beam laser system, enhancing its military capabilities with advanced artillery and laser defense systems, expected to replace older platforms and strengthen multi-layered air defense.

A planned military demonstration involving live artillery fire over Interstate 5 at Camp Pendleton went awry when a round exploded prematurely, causing shrapnel damage to a CHP vehicle and raising safety concerns, leading to the early termination of the event and a temporary freeway closure.

A military exercise involving firing live artillery over a California highway during Vice President JD Vance's visit led to the closure of a 17-mile stretch of I-5, causing traffic delays and sparking criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom over safety concerns, while U.S. Marine officials defended the safety and routine nature of the exercises.

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to fire 155mm artillery shells over California's Interstate 5 during a demonstration at Camp Pendleton to celebrate the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary, prompting criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom over safety concerns and lack of coordination, despite official assurances of safety and routine training practices.

Clashes at the Thailand-Cambodia border involve artillery and rocket fire, with ongoing live coverage of the situation.

King Charles III was praised for his faultless firing technique after firing an artillery gun during his visit to Larkhill, where he also met personnel, viewed historical artifacts, and was presented with a commemorative cartridge.

North Korea has reportedly sent powerful artillery systems, including 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems, to Russia to support its war efforts in Ukraine. This move complements the thousands of North Korean troops already fighting alongside Russian forces. The artillery transfer highlights the ongoing significance of artillery in the conflict, despite advancements in other military technologies. The U.S. has responded by lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of longer-range missiles to target Russia, marking a significant policy shift.

The German army plans to order an additional 200,000 artillery shells worth about 880 million euros from Rheinmetall to replenish its stockpiles as it continues to support Ukraine against Russia. This order is part of a larger framework agreement and aims to help Rheinmetall establish a new production line in Unterluess, Germany.

Ukraine claims that Russia lost 247 vehicles and 96 artillery systems in just 48 hours, highlighting the intense ongoing conflict in the eastern front lines. Moscow reports different figures, and independent verification is challenging. The heavy losses reflect the toll of over two years of full-scale war, with both sides experiencing significant equipment and personnel casualties.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley wrote "FINISH THEM" on an Israeli artillery shell, highlighting her strong support for Israel amidst ongoing conflicts.