Pakistan, India, China, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States – All of them are major military powers.

Which Country has the Best Missiles in the World? We take an in-depth exploration of the missile capabilities of these eight major military powers.

Our world is shaped by power, deterrence, and technology where missiles are not merely weapons. They are symbols of strategic intent, geopolitical influence, and national pride. Every strong nation has developed a strong arsenal of missiles. Each of these nations holds a unique position in the global missile landscape—some building for defense, others for dominance. Let’s see what each of these stronger military nations hold in their missile kitty.

Pakistan – Strategic Deterrence in South Asia

Pakistan’s missile program is built on the core principle of credible minimum deterrence, particularly against its regional rival, India. The country’s development is overseen by the National Development Complex (NDC) and the Strategic Plans Division. So far, it has a strong missile inventory which includes:

• Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs): Hatf-I, Abdali (Hatf-II), Ghaznavi (Hatf-III)
• Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs): Shaheen-I, Shaheen-II, Ghauri
• Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs): Shaheen-III – capable of reaching India’s eastern territories
• Cruise Missiles: Babur and Ra’ad (air-launched) with terrain-hugging capabilities and potential nuclear payloads
• Nuclear Warheads: Estimated 160–170 warheads deliverable via missiles, aircraft, and potentially submarines

Pakistan does not possess ICBMs or SLBMs but is believed to be working on sea-based deterrents through the Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile. Recently, Pakistan’s Prime Minister announced launching of its Rocket Force within the Pakistan Army on 14 August 2025.

India – The Triad of Strategic Deterrence

India’s missile program, under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), emphasizes technological independence, strategic deterrence, and space-capable launch vehicles. The key systems include:

• SRBMs: Prithvi-I/II/III
• MRBMs and IRBMs: Agni-I through Agni-IV (range up to 4,000 km)
• ICBMs: Agni-V (over 5,000 km), Agni-VI under development
• SLBMs: K-15 (Sagarika), K-4 deployed on the INS Arihant-class submarines
• Cruise Missiles: Nirbhay (long-range, subsonic), BrahMos (supersonic, jointly developed with Russia)

India possesses a nuclear triad—capable of delivering nuclear warheads via land, sea, and air.

China – Technological Surge and Global Reach

China’s missile arsenal is one of the most sophisticated and rapidly expanding in the world. Managed by the PLA Rocket Force, China’s inventory spans all ranges, with growing capabilities in hypersonic and sea-based systems. Its missile arsenal includes:

• SRBMs: DF-11, DF-15
• MRBMs/IRBMs: DF-21, DF-26 (“Guam killer”)
• ICBMs: DF-31, DF-41 (10,000+ km, MIRV-capable)
• SLBMs: JL-2, JL-3 (deployed on Jin-class SSBNs)
• Hypersonic Glide Vehicles: DF-17
• Cruise Missiles: CJ-10, YJ-series (anti-ship and land attack)

China is believed to possess over 500 nuclear warheads and has significantly invested in road-mobile, rail-mobile, and silo-based missile systems.

Turkey – Emerging Power with Regional Ambitions

Turkey, a NATO member and regional power, has focused on indigenous development to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Its missile development is guided by military needs and regional deterrence, particularly concerning threats from neighboring regions. Its missile inventory includes:

• SRBMs: Bora and Bora-2 (range up to 280–360 km)
• Ballistic Missile Development Programs: Göktug and future long-range ballistic ambitions
• Cruise Missiles: SOM series (air-launched, stealth-capable, over 250 km)
• Surface-to-Surface Missiles: TRG-230, TRG-300 Tiger (precision-guided)
• Air Defense Systems: Hisar-A, Hisar-O, SIPER (long-range, in development)

While Turkey does not possess nuclear missiles, its growing precision-strike and standoff missile inventory enhances its strategic autonomy.

France – A Compact but Potent Nuclear Force

France maintains a doctrine of nuclear deterrence rooted in autonomy and survivability. The French deterrent is sea-heavy, relying on SLBMs and air-launched nuclear weapons. Its missile weaponry is extensive and it includes:

• SLBMs: M51 (deployed on Triomphant-class submarines, range over 8,000 km)
• Air-Launched Nuclear Missiles: ASMP-A (supersonic cruise missile carried by Rafale and Mirage aircraft)
• ICBMs: Retired in the 1990s; current focus is solely on SLBMs and airborne delivery
• Cruise Missiles: SCALP-EG (non-nuclear, precision-strike missile)

France maintains approximately 290 nuclear warheads, with a robust and survivable second-strike capability.

United Kingdom – Silent Deterrent from the Deep

The United Kingdom has adopted a minimal yet effective approach to strategic deterrence. It operates a continuous at-sea deterrent policy known as CASD, ensuring that at least one submarine is always on patrol. The missiles with Key Systems include:

• SLBMs: Trident II D5 (range over 12,000 km, deployed on Vanguard-class SSBNs)
• Warhead Count: Estimated 225 nuclear warheads, of which around 120 are operational
• Missile Procurement: Trident missiles are shared via a joint pool with the United States

The UK does not maintain land-based or air-based nuclear missiles, relying entirely on submarine-launched systems.

Russia – A Legacy of Missile Dominance

Russia, inheritor of the Soviet missile legacy, commands one of the largest and most diversified missile arsenals in the world. The Strategic Rocket Forces operate a mix of new-generation and Soviet-era systems with growing emphasis on hypersonic delivery and MIRVs. The missile systems with Russia includes:

• ICBMs: RS-24 Yars, RS-28 Sarmat (Satan-II, heavy MIRV-capable)
• Hypersonics: Avangard glide vehicle, Kinzhal (air-launched), Zircon (naval)
• SLBMs: R-29RMU Sineva, RSM-56 Bulava (Borei-class SSBNs)
• Cruise Missiles: Kalibr, Kh-101, Iskander-M (dual-capable SRBM)
• Warhead Inventory: Estimated 5,889 nuclear warheads (including tactical), largest in the world

Russia maintains triad-based deterrence with cutting-edge delivery platforms and nuclear-capable missile systems, heavily modernized over the past two decades.

United States – The Apex of Missile Superpower

The United States leads the world in missile technology, nuclear triad readiness, and global strike capabilities. Through a combination of innovation, budget, and alliances, the U.S. maintains full-spectrum dominance. The missile systems with the American Armed Forces include:

• ICBMs: LGM-30G Minuteman III (over 400 in silos, range 13,000+ km)
• Next-Gen ICBMs: LGM-35 Sentinel (to replace Minuteman III by 2030)
• SLBMs: Trident II D5 (Ohio-class SSBNs, with Columbia-class under development)
• Cruise Missiles: AGM-86B (air-launched), Tomahawk (naval, land-attack)
• Hypersonics: AGM-183A ARRW, LRHW under development
• Warhead Inventory: Around 5,200 nuclear warheads, highly secure and diversified

With the most extensive and technologically advanced triad, the U.S. missile force is a pillar of NATO deterrence and global military power.

Missile Technology: Where Lies the Power?

The missile capacity of a nation is not just a measure of firepower—it is a reflection of its geopolitical posture, technological mastery, and strategic priorities. From the cautious deterrence of Pakistan and the emerging ambitions of Turkey to the global reach of China, Russia, and the United States—the spectrum is wide and complex.

The balance of power today rests not just on the number of missiles, but on the credibility of deterrence, the speed of delivery, and the political will to use them.

“In a world armed with missiles, peace lies not in disarmament, but in the wisdom of restraint.”