Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a large new missile defense system called the Golden Dome. The system is designed to protect the United States from missile attacks, including threats from space. Trump said the Golden Dome will be ready in about three years and will include the most advanced technology ever used for missile defense.
He revealed that $25 billion has already been set aside to start the project. In total, the system may cost around $175 billion. Trump said the system will be able to stop missiles launched from anywhere in the world. He explained that it will also be able to detect and intercept missiles fired from space. He said this project is vital for the safety and future of the country.
The Golden Dome will be led by U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein. Trump also mentioned that Canada is interested in joining the plan to build the system, as they also want protection. The system will include land-based, sea-based, and space-based elements. These will work together to identify and stop different types of missile threats.
The Golden Dome is modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, a system that has stopped thousands of short-range rockets since 2011. But while Israel’s Iron Dome is made for short-range attacks, the Golden Dome will deal with more serious and longer-range threats. This includes intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. It will be able to handle both nuclear and conventional attacks.
Pentagon officials said the Golden Dome would offer the United States a shield against all forms of missile attacks. It will use next-generation sensors and interceptors that can react within seconds. These tools will be placed on land, ships, and in space to give full coverage.
While Trump says the full cost will be around $175 billion, other experts believe the price could go higher. A report by the Congressional Budget Office stated that a system focused on space-based missile interception could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years. This range depends on the scale, technology, and how many missiles the system is meant to stop.
Missile threats against the United States have increased in recent years. A 2022 government report warned that both Russia and China are improving their missile technology. China is building new ballistic and hypersonic weapons. Russia is working on new long-range missiles and guided weapons that are harder to detect and stop. The report also mentioned the growing risk of attacks by drones and smaller rockets from non-state groups like militias or terror organizations.
North Korea and Iran were also listed as possible threats in the report. Both countries have tested missiles that could reach the U.S. or its allies. Iran also supports armed groups that have used rockets in the Middle East. These groups include the Houthis in Yemen, who have attacked ships using missiles and drones.
Russia and China have strongly criticized the Golden Dome plan. They said it could make space more dangerous by turning it into a battlefield. A statement from Russia said the system could lead to the growth of space weapons and would change the balance of power. China also said the plan was destabilizing and could lead to a new arms race in space.
The U.S. has already used some missile defense tools in real-world conflicts. In Ukraine, American systems have helped stop Russian missile attacks. In the Middle East, U.S. warplanes and ships have helped protect Israel from rockets launched by Iran. U.S. forces have also destroyed missiles and drones launched at commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The Golden Dome project is still in its early stages. In the next few years, military teams and contractors will build and test new equipment. The goal is to create a working shield that can react quickly and stop attacks before they cause damage. Even if the full system is not ready by the three-year target, some parts may be ready sooner to give early protection.
As global tensions rise and new missile technology spreads, the Golden Dome could become a key part of America’s defense. The project also shows how military planning is now focused not just on land and sea, but also on space.
The Golden Dome may change how the world sees missile defense. It could make the U.S. safer, but it also raises new questions about the risks of weaponizing space. The next few years will show how this major defense plan develops.
