Pakistan is developing a missile capable of striking America: Why is the Trump administration alert, what does this step mean?

Pakistan is now engaged in the manufacture of missiles that can reach America. According to a report published in the American magazine Foreign Affairs, Pakistan has continued its efforts to make such missiles with the help of China and this move has alerted even Washington.

It is worth noting that at present only a few countries have the technology related to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). At present, countries like America, Russia, and China have ICBMs. In such a situation, if Pakistan acquires this technology, then it can also become the country in the world to make missiles that can strike from one island to another.

In such a situation, it is important to know what are these intercontinental ballistic missiles. What information has come out so far about Pakistan's ICBM program? Which countries currently have intercontinental ballistic missiles? And what are India's capabilities in this technology? Let us know...

First, know - what are intercontinental ballistic missiles?

Intercontinental ballistic missiles, as per their name, are missiles capable of striking from one island to another. As the name suggests, ICBMs are capable of striking long distances. They are also known as diplomatic ballistic missiles. Their minimum range is considered to be 5500 kilometers.

According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, the maximum range of ICBMs can be from 7000 kilometers to 16 thousand kilometers. That is, some weapons can hit any target anywhere in the world. These missiles can be launched in different ways. From underground missile launchers to trucks or mobile launchers. Apart from this, some countries have also developed the technology of launching their ICBMs from trains and submarines.

Concerns are also raised about ICBMs because they are mainly made of nuclear weapons. However, they can also be used for conventional ammunition and chemical or biological attacks.

On which technology do ICBMs work?
ICBMs work in three phases.

Launching and boost phase: Rockets attached to the back of the missile push it forward. The rockets work to take it up for 3 to 5 minutes. During this, the speed of ICBM reaches from 4 kilometers per second to 7.8 km per second. Intercontinental ballistic missiles can cross the radius of the Earth and go up to 150-400 km from the ground.

Middle phase: After this, ICBM moves towards its target while being in the orbit of the Earth. This is the time when the missile starts coming down after going up and during this time it covers the maximum distance to the target while being in the highest orbit of the Earth.

Falling on the target phase: ICBM gains more speed due to the gravitational force of the Earth while falling. This missile can launch different weapons (payloads) at a height of about 100 km from the ground target, which can target multiple places at once. These payloads can hit the target at a speed of 7 km per second.

Is Pakistan also making intercontinental ballistic missiles?

Among the nuclear-powered countries, Pakistan is the only country so far that does not have a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile. It is said that Pakistan has been trying to gather technology to make ICBMs for a long time and it has got the support of China in this.

In December last year, a report also claimed that Pakistan has taken steps towards making ICBMs. Then the US, expressing apprehension about this, announced a ban on four companies. These companies were accused of supplying necessary supplies for ICBMs to Pakistan. These also included the government company National Defense Complex (NDC), which is responsible for the manufacture of missiles in Pakistan. However, no response was given by Pakistan regarding this report. At the same time, earlier in 2023-2024, the US had also imposed sanctions on some Chinese companies. These companies were accused of giving special missile technology to Pakistan.

The very next day, the then US Deputy NSA John Finer said that Pakistan was developing a sophisticated missile technology. These also include equipment that will help it in testing large rocket motors. Then Finer had expressed apprehension that Pakistan is developing the ICBM program keeping the US in mind and if it continues, it will have the capability to attack America far away from South Asia.

After this statement Finer, it was believed that the missile that Pakistan was preparing to make could have the capability to strike more than 10 thousand kilometers because the distance between the two countries is almost the same. It was then revealed through satellite images that Pakistan is trying to make a large rocket motor with the help of China.

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