Does Pakistan Have ICBMs? ICBM Trends, India’s Agni-V, and Israel Rumors
Pakistan ICBM 2025: What’s Fueling the Buzz Amid Global Missile Power Play
Understanding ICBMs and the Global Landscape
What is an ICBM?
An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is a missile with a minimum range of 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles), designed to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads to distant targets across continents. These missiles typically:
- Travel at hypersonic speeds (Mach 15–25)
- Follow a ballistic trajectory (boost, space-flight, re-entry)
- Can carry Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs)
- Are launched from silos, submarines, or mobile launchers
ICBMs are core to nuclear deterrence strategies in major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China.
Countries with Operational ICBMs
| Country | Notable ICBMs | Range (km) | Nuclear Capable | MIRV |
| United States | Minuteman III, Trident II | 12,000–15,000 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Russia | RS-28 Sarmat, Topol-M | 16,000+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| China | DF-41, DF-5, JL-3 (SLBM) | 12,000–15,000 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| France | M51 (SLBM) | ~10,000 | ✅ Yes | ❓ Likely |
| United Kingdom | Trident II D5 (SLBM) | ~12,000 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| India | Agni-V, (Agni-VI dev.) | 7,000–12,000 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Israel (suspected) | Jericho III (mobile) | 4,800–11,500 | ✅ Yes | ❓ Unknown |
| North Korea | Hwasong-17, Hwasong-18 | ~15,000 | ✅ Yes | ❓ Claimed |
Note: All above nations except Pakistan possess operational ICBMs.
Summary: ICBMs at a Glance
- ICBMs are nuclear-capable long-range missiles key to strategic global deterrence.
- Only 8 countries are confirmed to possess them.
- India possesses the Agni-V, soon to be upgraded to Agni-VI with MIRV tech.
- Pakistan has no operational ICBMs as of June 2025.
FAQs: Global ICBM Landscape
| Question | Answer |
| What’s the minimum range of an ICBM? | Over 5,500 km |
| Do ICBMs always carry nuclear warheads? | Most are designed for nuclear warheads, but can carry conventional warheads |
| What’s a MIRV? | A missile carrying multiple warheads, each aimed at different targets |
| Which ICBM is the longest-range in the world? | Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat – up to 18,000 km |
| Does India have ICBMs? | Yes. Agni-V and the upcoming Agni-VI |
| Does Pakistan have ICBMs? | No, not officially or operationally |
Pakistan, ICBMs, and 2025’s Social Media Frenzy
Why Is “ICBM” Trending in Pakistan?
In June 2025, “ICBM” began trending in Pakistan due to:
U.S. Intelligence Reports
- Foreign Affairs reported that Pakistan may be developing ICBMs with Chinese assistance.
- If confirmed, Pakistan would become the 9th nation with ICBM capability.
- The U.S. warned this could reframe Pakistan as a nuclear adversary, complicating ties.
Post-Operation Sindoor Escalation
- After India’s May 2025 airstrikes in “Operation Sindoor,” military tensions rose.
- Pakistani media speculated about expanding deterrence to match India’s Agni-V.
Disinformation and Domestic Politics
- Nationalist narratives on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) suggested:
- “Pakistan already has secret ICBMs.”
- “We need ICBMs to stop Israeli or Indian threats.”
- Pakistani officials denied ICBM development; no confirmed tests or photos have surfaced.
Is Israel Planning an Attack on Pakistan?
❌ No credible evidence supports this claim.
- Social media posts claim that Israel may preemptively strike Pakistan like it did with:
- Iraq’s Osirak reactor (1981)
- Iran’s Natanz and Fordow sites (2025)
- Reality Check:
- Israel’s Iran strikes were due to active nuclear weaponization, not ICBMs.
- Pakistan is a declared nuclear power with existing deterrent; not a rogue actor.
- No public Israeli or Western statements hint at a Pakistan strike.
India vs Pakistan: Missile Capability Comparison
| Feature | India | Pakistan |
| Longest Missile | Agni-V (~7,000–10,000 km) | Shaheen-III (~2,750 km) |
| ICBM Operational? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| MIRV Capability | ✅ Yes (Agni-VI) | ⚠️ Claimed (Ababeel, not ICBM) |
| Space Tech Exported | Yes (e.g., ASAT 2019) | No |
| Missile Range Focus | China & global reach | Primarily India |
Summary: Key Points
| Topic | Fact |
| Pakistan has no confirmed ICBMs | ✅ True |
| Social media trends are based on unverified claims | ✅ True |
| India has operational ICBMs (Agni-V) | ✅ True |
| Israel has not issued threats to Pakistan | ✅ True |
| China may be aiding Pakistan’s missile R&D | ⚠️ Unconfirmed |
| U.S. sees Pakistani ICBM ambition as destabilizing | ✅ Reported by Foreign Affairs |
FAQs: Pakistan and ICBM Speculation
| Question | Answer |
| Why is ICBM trending in Pakistan? | Due to unverified reports of secret development & social media buzz |
| Does Pakistan have ICBMs? | No. It has MRBMs like Shaheen-III |
| Is Israel planning to attack Pakistan? | No confirmed threat or intelligence |
| Could Pakistan develop ICBMs in the future? | Technically possible, but no test or public declaration |
| What’s the U.S. position? | Concerned; considers ICBMs in Pakistan as destabilizing |
