Latest news with #2025WorldwideThreatAssessment
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
India views China, not Pakistan, as ‘primary adversary', says DIA report
A new report released by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested that India views China, and not Pakistan, "as its primary adversary". It said India considers "Pakistan more an ancillary security problem." Meanwhile, "Pakistan regards India as an existential threat," the report noted. The analysis was mentioned in the '2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment' report published by the DIA. DIA director Lieutenant General (Lt) Gen Jeffrey Kruse prepared this report, using information available as of May 11, 2025. Here are 10 key things to know from the report: 'India views China as its primary adversary' India sees 'Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India's and Pakistan's militaries' 'India will maintain its relationship with Russia through 2025 because it views its ties to Russia as important for achieving its economic and defense objectives and sees value in the relationship as a means to offset deepening Russia-China relations.' The DIA report noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 'India has reduced its procurement of Russian-origin military equipment but still relies on Russian spare parts to maintain and sustain its large inventory of Russian-origin tanks and fighter aircraft that form the backbone of its military's ability to counter perceived threats from China and Pakistan.' The report said that for Pakistan, India is "an existential threat". It noted that Pakistan "will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage."
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to keep modernising its military: US report
Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage, said 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment. The assessment was prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and presented to the US House of Representatives' Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations based on information available as of May 11, 2025. Following the April 22 militant attack in occupied Kashmir, India conducted missile strikes in Pakistan. The missile strikes provoked multiple rounds of missile, drone, and loitering munition attacks, and heavy artillery fire, by both militaries from May 7 to May 10, when both countries agreed to a full ceasefire. The assessment said Pakistan is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. "Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD [Weapons of Mass Destruction] applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," it claimed. According to the assessment, Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), including a new air exercise completed in November 2024. "Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates." It stated that during the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by the TTP and Baloch militants, counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization. It said despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024. It also claimed that terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have also emerged as a point of friction between the two countries as seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024. According to the assessment, Pakistan and Iran have taken steps, including high-level meetings, to de-escalate tensions after the two countries conducted unilateral airstrikes on each other's territory in January 2024 in response to cross-border terror attacks. "In September 2024, Taliban and Pakistani border forces clashed near border posts, resulting in the death of eight Taliban fighters. In March 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged air and artillery strikes on each other's territory, each citing alleged militant infrastructure as the targets," it said. It stated that South Asia's security situation is shaped by various factors, including terrorism and longstanding mistrust among neighboring states, several of which are modernizing their militaries and nuclear capabilities. "Terrorist activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan will challenge military and security forces, and ongoing tensions along India and China's Line of Actual Control border demarcation are capable of escalating quickly. Russia and China continue efforts to bring regional powers closer into their respective spheres of influence," it added. The assessment said Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi's defense priorities will probably focus on demonstrating global leadership, countering China, and enhancing New Delhi's military power. "India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India's and Pakistan's militaries." It said to counter Chinese influence and boost its global leadership role, India is giving priority to advancing its bilateral defense partnerships in the Indian Ocean region through exercises, training, arms sales, and information sharing. India also has increased trilateral engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and actively participates in multilateral fora such as the Quadrilateral, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and ASEAN. It said that China will continue to advance selected areas of partnership with Russia while avoiding actions such as overtly providing materiel or lethal military assistance to Russia that might elicit reputational or economic costs for Beijing.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Frightened by Operation Sindoor, Pakistan resorts to upgrading its..., its plan include...
New Delhi: After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has realized its true position. America's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has made several significant revelations about Pakistan in its annual report '2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment' released on May 25, 2025. This report has been prepared for the Armed Services Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives and discusses Pakistan's military activities, terrorism, and nuclear weapons in detail. Pakistan working on According to the report, the main priorities of the Pakistan Army in 2025 will include border clashes with neighbouring countries, increasing attacks from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch nationalist militants, fighting against terrorism, and modernization of nuclear weapons. For the past year, Pakistan has been performing daily operations against insurgents, but the situation is worsening rather than improving. In 2024, terrorists killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan, which is a serious concern. India biggest threat The report states that Pakistan perceives India as the greatest threat to its existence. To counter India's military strength, Pakistan is modernizing its army, which includes the development of nuclear weapons for use on the battlefield. Pakistan is continuously strengthening its nuclear arsenal and improving the security and command system of its nuclear materials. For this, it is purchasing large-scale items related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) from foreign suppliers and intermediaries. Most of these items come from China and reach Pakistan through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). China Pakistan cooperation The report also stated that military and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China is increasing. Both countries conduct several joint military exercises every year. In November 2024, they also conducted a new aerial exercise. The report also mentioned that Pakistan is continuously making efforts to enhance its nuclear capabilities to strengthen its position at the regional level. However, due to terrorism and border tensions, both its internal and external security are under threat. This situation is becoming a significant threat not only to Pakistan but also to the peace and stability of the entire region.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Pakistan modernising nuclear arsenal to counter India's edge: US intel
Pakistan is advancing its nuclear arsenal and related capabilities to offset India's conventional military advantage, according to a US intelligence report. The report warns that Islamabad's efforts to modernise its battlefield nuclear weapons remain a top priority alongside counterterrorism operations and cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbours. The '2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment' report, released by the US Defence Intelligence Agency, notes that Pakistan perceives India as an "existential threat" and is likely to continue investing in nuclear and military modernisation, despite losing more than 2,500 people to militant violence in 2024. Islamabad is also focusing on maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and command-and-control infrastructure. Notably, some reports claimed that an underground nuclear storage facility in Pakistan's Kirana Hills was targeted by the Indian armed forces during the recent 'Operation Sindoor'. However, India denied hitting any such targets. After the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor', which was followed by days of cross-border missile and artillery fire. Despite these hostilities, both sides reached a ceasefire understanding by May 10. Pakistan dependence on 'Iron Brother' China The report notes that China's economic and military support plays a crucial role in Pakistan's defence posture. The US intelligence assessment highlights Pakistan's near-certain procurement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-applicable goods from foreign suppliers, primarily through Chinese support. These materials and technology are reportedly acquired via Chinese suppliers and intermediaries, with transit routes through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkiye, and the UAE. However, Islamabad's growing reliance on Beijing has also led to friction. Seven Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects were killed in attacks in Pakistan last year, the report states. Pakistan's trouble with Taliban, Iran The intelligence report also highlights tensions between Pakistan with Iran and the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. In early 2024, Islamabad and Tehran engaged in high-level talks after conducting unilateral airstrikes on each other's territories in January. Separately, the Taliban and Pakistani border forces clashed near border posts in September 2024, resulting in the death of eight Taliban fighters. In March 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged air and artillery strikes, each blaming the other's territory for harbouring militant infrastructure. India's perspective The US intel report contrasts Pakistan's military efforts with India's own security posture. According to the report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priorities are focused on countering Chinese influence, bolstering military capabilities, and enhancing New Delhi's leadership in the region. The intel report says that India continues to advance its domestic defence production and expand regional defence partnerships through exercises and multilateral forums like the Quadrilateral, Brics, and Asean. India also remains reliant on Russian spare parts to maintain its Russian-origin military assets, despite reducing new procurements from Moscow.
Korea Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
N. Korea in 'strongest strategic position' in decades: US intel report
North Korea stands in its "strongest strategic position" in decades, a US intelligence report showed Friday, as the recalcitrant regime has been doubling down on its pursuit of advanced weapons that can threaten US forces and allies in Northeast Asia, and the US mainland. The Defense Intelligence Agency under the US Department of Defense offered the analysis in the "2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment" that covered a wide range of security challenges from North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and other state and non-state actors. The assessment came amid deepening concerns over North Korea's evolving nuclear and ballistic missile threats and its military alignment with Russia based on the two countries' "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty signed in June last year. "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is increasingly confident in his international political legitimacy and regime security," the DIA said in the report. "North Korea is in its strongest strategic position in decades, possessing the military means to hold at risk US forces and US allies in Northeast Asia while continuing to improve its capability to threaten the US homeland," it added. The report noted that in return for support for its war against Ukraine, Russia has been expanding its sharing of space, nuclear and missile applicable technology, expertise and materials to North Korea, China and Iran, which it said will enable advancements in the three countries' weapons of mass destruction programs during the "next three to five years." "North Korea continues to illicitly procure items for its missile program that it cannot produce domestically, often in cooperation with Chinese and Russian nationals," the agency said. "Similarly, North Korea almost certainly will continue marketing and proliferating ballistic missile systems and related technology to other countries of concern, as demonstrated by its provision of missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine." The agency pointed out that Pyongyang continues to support its nuclear weapons program and increase its nuclear weapons stockpile by producing plutonium and highly enriched uranium. "North Korea has restored its nuclear test site and is now postured to conduct a seventh nuclear test at a time of its choosing," it said. The DIA assessed that Pyongyang "probably" has a biological warfare program and "almost certainly" has a chemical warfare program with the capability to produce nerve, blister, blood and choking agents. It described the North's Special Operations Force as "highly trained," "well equipped" and capable of infiltrating into South Korea. "North Korea's SOF deployment to Russia will enable North Korea to use lessons learned from that experience for future combat training," it said. Portraying the North as one of the world's most militarized nations, the agency said the reclusive country has more than 1 million active duty personnel and more than 7 million reserve and paramilitary personnel. On the space front, the agency assessed that the North's ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles could be used as a "very basic" anti-satellite platform to target US and partner satellites in a conflict. "Additionally, North Korea has received an offer from Russia to assist its space program, including SLVs, satellites and training," it said. The report also delved into growing cooperation among America's competitors and potential adversaries, including collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang. "North Korea almost certainly is receiving reciprocal military cooperation from Moscow -- including SA-22 surface-to-air missile systems and electronic warfare equipment -- for providing soldiers and materiel to support Russia's war against Ukraine," it said. The DIA forecast that leaders in Beijing, Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang will strengthen their nations' ties in their drive to undermine the influence of the US and its allies. (Yonhap)
