The United States’ intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, has said that the long-range ballistic missile development programmes by China, Russia and Pakistan could be the most significant threats to the United States. In a testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, also said that the threats to the US were set to expand collectively from more than 3,000 missiles at present to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035.

The US 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 the US within range.

The Intelligence Committee assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing US missile defences, Gabbard said. The US top intelligence official said that North Korea’s ICBMs can reach US soil and it is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal.