Pakistan Developing Long-Range Nuclear Ballistic Missile That Can Reach US, Reveals New Report
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Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km
The Pakistani military is working on developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental United States, a new report by Foreign Affairs reveals amid reports that in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was looking to bolster its nuclear arsenal with support from China.
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can be armed with both nuclear and conventional warheads, are capable of hitting targets over 5,500 km.
According to the report, citing US officials, if Pakistan successfully develops such a missile, Washington would classify the country as a nuclear adversary. At present, Russia, China and North Korea are considered adversarial to the US.
Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme began in the early 1970s, largely driven by regional tensions, particularly after India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974. The country officially became a nuclear-armed state in 1998, after carrying out a series of six nuclear tests.
Sources close to the matter suggest that Pakistan's decision to develop such a missile is a response to India's growing military strength and its investment in advanced missile defence systems. Pakistan has long relied on its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against India's conventional military superiority, but this new development signals a dramatic escalation in the region's arms race.
The China-Pakistan nexus plays a significant role in Pakistan's nuclear strategy. While China has not publicly supported the development of Pakistan's ICBM, its ongoing military assistance and economic investments in Pakistan have bolstered Islamabad's defence capabilities. Experts suggest that China may have given tacit approval to Pakistan's missile program, further complicating the security calculus for India and the US.
A key concern for both India and the US is the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Given Pakistan's history of instability and militant groups, the potential for terrorist infiltration or unauthorised access to such powerful weapons is a real worry. Experts fear that if Pakistan's nuclear systems are not adequately safeguarded, it could pose a major risk not only for the region but also for the broader international community.
First Published:
June 25, 2025, 14:32 IST
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