North Korea has tested a new anti-aircraft guided weapons system. According to the State News Agency, KCNA, the test was conducted by the Academy of National Defence Science. However, KCNA did not report the exact nature of the weapon or the time of the test. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test and ordered its mass production and deployment throughout the country.

The North Korea has been pushing to develop a wide range of weapon systems since early last year at an unprecedented pace including a long-range missile capable of striking the mainland United States and has in recent weeks tested its intermediate-range ballistic missile, making some technical advances.

North Korea rejects unilateral sanctions by UN and other nations against its weapons programme as an infringement of its right to self defense. It says the programme is necessary to counter US aggression.

On Tuesday, the head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency said that if left unchecked, North Korea is on an “inevitable” path to obtaining a nuclear-armed missile capable of striking the United States.