North korea: North Korea plans to deploy a new type of long-range artillery along its border with South Korea by the end of 2026, state media reported Friday, as part of efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a munitions factory to inspect production of a new 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer intended for three battalions to be assigned to a long-range artillery unit stationed along the southern border.

According to Qatar News Agency, the new self-propelled gun-howitzer has a strike range exceeding 60 kilometers. KCNA added that Kim said during the visit that 2026 would mark an "unprecedented upgrade" in efforts to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, calling for intensified efforts to enhance military readiness.

In a separate report, KCNA said Kim visited the 5,000-ton warship Choe Hyon on Thursday to oversee a maneuverability assessment ahead of its commissioning. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated last month after Pyongyang launched several ballistic missiles into the sea in what observers described as an acceleration of its missile testing activities.