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US Intelligence Chief Warns of '16,000 Missiles Threat to America' by 2035
US Homeland Missile Threat to Reach 16,000 by 2035
Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, warning that the collective threat to the U.S. homeland from missiles is projected to expand to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035. This represents a significant increase from the current assessed figure of over 3,000 missiles. Gabbard emphasized that state actors present a broader risk by seeking new capabilities in kinetic and cyber warfare, though the U.S. secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure homeland safety against strategic threats.
Global Adversaries Developing Advanced Missile Systems
The intelligence community assesses that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems. These systems are equipped with nuclear and conventional payloads capable of putting the U.S. homeland within range. Specifically, China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems designed to penetrate or bypass U.S. missile defenses. North Korea's ICBMs can already reach U.S. soil, and the IC assesses that Pyongyang is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Iran and Pakistan's Evolving Missile Capabilities
Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development could potentially include ICBMs with a range capable of striking the U.S. homeland. For Iran, the intelligence community notes that it has previously demonstrated space launch and other technology that could be used to develop a militarily viable ICBM before 2035, should Tehran attempt to pursue that capability. The full impact of Operation Epic Fury's devastating strikes on Iran's missile production facilities, stockpiles, and launch capabilities is continuously being determined and will lead to updated assessments.
*Source: YouTube: NDTV (2026-03-19)*
