United States’ intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) told lawmakers that Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile development could include missiles capable of targeting the US.
In a testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, also said that the threats to the U.S. were set to expand collectively from more than 3,000 missiles at present to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035.
“The U.S. secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our Homeland within range,” Ms. Gabbard said.
She said the U.S. Intelligence Community assesses that threats to the Homeland will expand collectively to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the current assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles.
“The IC assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing US missile defences,” Ms. Gabbard said.
