To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of (a) the threat to the UK of long-range missiles being developed by (i) North Korea, (ii) Iran, (iii) China and (iv) other countries and (b) by when such missiles might be militarily deployable. (79949)

We continually monitor the capabilities of non-NATO nations to target the United Kingdom with long-range missiles.

North Korea has an active programme to develop long-range missiles which could have the potential to reach the UK. It is unlikely to have a militarily deployable capability against the UK within the next five years.

Iran already has short and medium-range missiles in service, and its potential for developing long-range missiles which could reach UK has been recognised for some time. It is unlikely to have a militarily deployable capability against the UK within the next 10 years.

China has a deployed force of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) which could reach the UK.

In relation to other countries, Russia has numerous deployed Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles, Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles and Cruise missiles, which could reach the UK.