intercontinental ballistic missiles

DRDO is ready for the Agni-VI missile program pending government approval, while also advancing two hypersonic weapons programs: a glide missile and a cruise missile. The organization is also considering a conventional missile force structure and nearing completion of the Pralay missile.

India's indigenous fighter jet production is gaining momentum with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) procurement process advancing. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh revealed plans for sixth-generation fighter collaborations and a multi-layered missile force. Diversifying production is seen as strategically beneficial, with ambitious defence export targets set to be met comfortably.

President Trump's ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative faces significant hurdles. Doubts are mounting over funding, congressional backing, and technical feasibility, despite Pentagon assurances. The project's immense cost, potentially trillions, is a major concern for lawmakers, particularly Republicans wary of budget reconciliation tactics ahead of elections. Key components are slated for 2028.

Missiles are central to modern warfare, with speed, measured in Mach, defining their capabilities. From stealthy subsonic cruise missiles to lightning-fast hypersonic weapons, each type offers distinct advantages. Understanding these advancements, from propulsion to guidance, is crucial for grasping the evolving landscape of global security and the ongoing race between offensive and defensive technologies.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine as part of the country’s defence plan, according to Korean Central News Agency. The development highlights efforts to strengthen missile capabilities, with analysts saying the improved engine could support long-range weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, and enhance strike capacity.

Former Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit stated that striking Indian cities like New Delhi and Mumbai would be Islamabad's "default move" if Pakistan were attacked by the US. He asserted that Pakistan's nuclear deterrence is India-specific, not aimed at the US, and that any aggression would be met with retaliation against India.

Ballistic missiles, born from wartime innovation, revolutionized warfare by making distance irrelevant. These rocket-powered weapons, capable of delivering payloads across continents in minutes, evolved into the backbone of modern strategic deterrence. Understanding their history, function, and global proliferation is crucial to grasping today's security environment.

The United States conducted a test of its nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile off the California coast. This unarmed missile launch, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, aimed to verify the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the system. The test occurred amidst ongoing strikes in the Middle East.

The 2026 Annual Threat Assessment warns of escalating global threats: a five-fold rise in missiles targeting the US, Iran seeking revenge, North Korea’s expanding arsenal, and China’s race for AI dominance. While highlighting persistent cyber, space, and nuclear challenges, the report credits Trump for border security and de-escalation efforts, noting that technological competition, pandemics, and geopolitical instability increasingly shape American security risks.

New Zealand and Japan have raised concerns following China's test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand described it as unwelcome, while Japan cited China's rapid military build-up as a serious concern. The Philippines and Taiwan also reported heightened Chinese military activities, adding to regional tensions.

India has joined the US and a dozen other nations to condemn North Korea's recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch, with New Delhi voicing concern over the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies, saying they have an "adverse impact" on peace and security in the region, including on India.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, calling it a testament to their fear and desperation. This marks the first wartime use of an ICBM, targeting Dnipro. The incident follows Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian military targets, escalating tensions and prompting threats of retaliation from Moscow.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, US President Donald Trump claimed Iran plotted his assassination. Security experts believe Iran lacks the capability for a direct military strike on a US President. Asymmetric threats like drone or cyber attacks are considered more plausible. The US maintains robust protection for its leader.