US Annual Threat Assessment Flags Pakistan Ballistic Missile Program

The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, which flagged Pakistan alongside Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran as developing advanced ballistic missile systems. DNI Tulsi Gabbard, testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated Pakistan is 'researching and developing advanced missile delivery systems that potentially could include ICBMs with range capable of striking the Homeland.' The report explicitly stated 'India-Pakistan relations remain a risk for nuclear conflict' and credited President Trump's intervention with de-escalating the most recent India-Pakistan military exchange (May 2025). Strategic analysts noted Pakistan currently fields no operational ICBMs, suggesting US concerns may relate to future Shaheen series developments.