Trump unveils ‘Golden Dome’: A $175 billion missile shield to protect the US from global threats

‘Golden Dome’ missile shield to be 1st US weapon in space

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled a large-scale missile defence system, named the “Golden Dome,” which is intended to protect the United States from missile attacks. He projected that the shield would become operational within three years. An initial allocation of $25 billion has been approved, with the full project potentially reaching a total cost of $175 billion.

“In my campaign, I committed to building an advanced missile defence system,” Trump said during a White House announcement. “Today, I’m proud to confirm the chosen architecture for this high-tech defense initiative.”

Trump emphasized that the completed Golden Dome would be capable of intercepting missile threats originating from any location on the globe, including those launched from space. He described the system as essential to ensuring the security and longevity of the country.

Leadership and global interest

US Space Force General Michael Guetlein will oversee the project. Trump noted that Canada has shown interest in collaborating on the initiative.

While Trump cited a total cost of $175 billion, a Congressional Budget Office estimate suggests that a space-based interceptor system capable of handling a limited number of intercontinental missiles could range between $161 billion and $542 billion over a 20-year span.

Trump highlighted that the Golden Dome will employ advanced technologies on land, sea, and in space. It will include next-generation sensors and interceptors in orbit as part of the multi-layered defense.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing beside Trump, said the shield would defend against a wide array of missile types — including ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic — as well as drones, whether armed with conventional or nuclear payloads.

Opposition from Russia and China

The Golden Dome’s name takes inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, a defense system that has been intercepting short-range rockets and artillery since 2011. However, the threats facing the US differ in scope and complexity, involving longer-range missiles and advanced technologies.

The 2022 Missile Defense Review highlighted increasing missile capabilities from China and Russia. It pointed out China’s advancements in hypersonic weapons and Russia’s upgrades to its intercontinental missile systems, alongside emerging threats from Iran, North Korea, and non-state actors.

Both Russia and China criticized the Golden Dome initiative earlier this month, labeling it as a destabilizing force that could escalate military activity in space. A Kremlin statement warned that the plan would significantly enhance America’s capacity to conduct space-based military operations.

Defense experience and real-world deployments

In recent conflicts, US military systems have demonstrated effectiveness in intercepting missiles and drones. In Ukraine, American systems were deployed to counter Russian missile strikes. US forces also supported Israel in defending against Iranian attacks while intercepting missile and drone threats from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea region.

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