Which missile is Pakistan developing that has left the United States scared and worried?

Washington: Currently, an atmosphere of significant apprehension prevails in the United States regarding a new Pakistani missile. On March 18, 2026, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, warned the Senate that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

She stated that while Pakistan does not currently possess an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile), its missile program is advancing to a point where it could develop such a capability in the future. This development has sounded alarm bells across the United States.

Which missile is this?

No specific name has been assigned to it yet; however, U.S. intelligence agencies report that Pakistan is developing a long-range ballistic missile. This missile could potentially fall into the ICBM category—defined as having a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers. The distance between Pakistan and the United States is approximately 12,000 kilometers.

If successfully developed, this missile would enable Pakistan to launch a nuclear strike against the United States. Tulsi Gabbard noted that Pakistan is manufacturing large rocket motors, which will facilitate the development of an ICBM in the future. This program has been underway for several years.

What are Pakistan's Current Key Missiles?

Pakistan's longest-range missile currently in its arsenal is the Shaheen-III.

Range: 2,750 kilometers. It covers the entirety of India, extending even as far as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Type: Solid-fuel (capable of immediate launch).
Warhead: Nuclear or conventional.
Length: Approximately 18 meters.
Status: First tested in 2015; now operational.

Another significant missile is the Ababeel.

Range: 2,200 kilometers.
Key Feature: MIRV technology—meaning a single missile can carry multiple nuclear warheads capable of striking different targets simultaneously.
Objective: To evade India's missile defense systems. Older Missiles: Ghauri (1,500–2,300 km range, liquid-fueled) and Shaheen-II (2,500 km).

The United States asserts that Pakistan is moving beyond these systems and conducting tests of much larger rocket motors—technology that could enable the development of an ICBM. While Pakistan has not yet tested an ICBM, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on four Pakistani companies for their involvement in supporting this program.

Why the Alarm in the US?

Tulsi Gabbard has stated that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are all developing missiles capable of targeting the United States. Pakistan's program is of particular concern because, historically, its missile capabilities were limited to reaching India. Now, should an ICBM be successfully developed, the United States itself would be placed at risk.

By 2035, this threat could multiply significantly. The U.S. also contends that Pakistan is increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal. While Pakistan is currently developing missiles such as the Shaheen-III, its new program is clearly trending toward the development of ICBMs—a trajectory that has fostered an atmosphere of apprehension within the United States. Following Tulsi Gabbard's warning, the U.S. has heightened its state of alert.

Pakistan maintains that these capabilities are directed solely against India; however, the United States views them as a direct threat to its own security. Although the missile in question is not yet fully developed, its development is proceeding at a rapid pace.