Missile Threat to U.S. Set to Surge Fivefold, Gabbard Warns as Adversaries Rapidly Expand Arsenal

Intelligence assessment projects dramatic rise in long-range missile capabilities, driving urgency behind new homeland defense system.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned Thursday that the United States faces a rapidly escalating missile threat, with adversarial nations expanding capabilities that could significantly increase risks to the homeland over the next decade.

During Senate testimony, available via C-SPAN, Gabbard identified China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan as key actors advancing missile technologies capable of reaching U.S. territory.

According to the intelligence community’s latest annual threat assessment, the number of missiles able to strike the United States could grow from more than 3,000 today to over 16,000 by 2035.

“These countries are developing an array of advanced missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our homeland in range,” Gabbard said.

The report outlines continued advancements across multiple fronts. North Korea has successfully tested intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, while Iran’s space-launch developments could be adapted into long-range missile systems. Pakistan’s expanding program is also identified as a potential future threat to the U.S. mainland.

Russia and China are advancing both traditional ballistic systems and next-generation weapons, including hypersonic missiles designed to evade existing defense systems.

The warning comes as President Donald Trump advances a homeland missile defense initiative known as the “Golden Dome,” a system designed to integrate ground-based interceptors, satellite tracking and space-based detection capabilities to counter incoming threats.

Officials say the system is intended to address the scale and sophistication of emerging threats. Program director Gen. Michael Guetlein said projected costs have risen to approximately $185 billion as the system incorporates expanded space-based tracking and defense infrastructure.

Major defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman, are involved in development efforts.

The assessment also highlights the growing role of drone warfare, noting that lower-cost, harder-to-detect systems are proliferating alongside traditional missile capabilities. Iran has contributed to this trend by supplying drone technology to allied actors while expanding its own arsenal.

Intelligence officials said adversaries are closely monitoring U.S. defense planning and are expected to adapt their strategies, further accelerating the pace of military competition.

Gabbard said the trajectory of these developments indicates increasing risk to the U.S. homeland, emphasizing that strengthening missile defense systems will be critical in the years ahead.