Trump's $175B 'Golden Dome' aims to counter threats from China, Russia and North Korea

Daily Mail​

21-05-2025

Donald Trump has launched a bold new $175 billion missile defense initiative called the 'Golden Dome', intended to make the United States nearly impervious to nuclear missile attacks. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the system is 'very important for the success and even survival of our country'. He promised that it would be completed within two and a half to three years. The plan draws on advanced land, sea, and space technologies to intercept threats from across the globe, including space-based sensors and interceptors. Its ambition echoes past U.S. efforts, but this time, it comes amid sharper global tensions and technological advances.
Trump declared, 'I'm pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system.' He emphasized that the Golden Dome would integrate 'next-generation technologies across the land, sea and space.' With this system, the U.S. aims to intercept missiles from adversaries like Russia, China, and North Korea - even before they fully launch. Experts say the threat landscape is evolving, with hostile powers deploying new types of delivery systems designed to exploit U.S. vulnerabilities. The Golden Dome is presented as a direct response to this increasingly complex global threat.
China immediately condemned the project, warning that it would 'fuel an arms race, and undermine international security.' The Chinese government expressed concern about the militarization of space, where the new system would deploy some of its most critical capabilities. Moscow joined Beijing in a unified denunciation, calling the U.S. approach provocative and destabilizing. Together, they warned that space must not become 'an arena for armed confrontation.' While the U.S. has yet to engage diplomatically with Russia on this plan, Trump said he would speak to Vladimir Putin 'at the right time.'
According to a recent unclassified report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, traditional ballistic missiles remain the top threat, but adversaries are now developing more sophisticated systems. The report noted that China and Russia are creating 'an array of novel delivery systems' to bypass existing American defenses. It also stated that North Korea has already proven capable of launching missiles that could strike anywhere in the U.S. Iran, meanwhile, may be able to field similar weapons within the next decade. These findings were used to underscore the necessity of the Golden Dome.
Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, strongly backed the initiative, calling it 'absolutely necessary.' Speaking to FOX News, he said, 'Over the last 20 years our adversaries have seen that we were unwilling to make the investments in missile defence.' He argued that this encouraged them to invest in cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones. According to Montgomery, 'The axis of aggressors - namely Russia, China, Iran and North Korea - know that this is a vulnerability in the United States and are exploiting it.' His support adds military weight to Trump's announcement.
Trump signed an executive order on January 27 instructing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to bring the Golden Dome into reality. At the press briefing, Trump shared artwork showing a gold-colored map of the U.S. protected by interceptor missiles, reinforcing the visual symbolism of his plan. General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, has been named to oversee its development. Montgomery endorsed this decision, saying Guetlein 'had experience in missile defence and understood the importance of long-term planning.' The selection underscores the administration's emphasis on expertise and continuity.
While few technical details have been disclosed, Hegseth said the system would build on existing technologies, but require 'seamless integration' to function effectively. 'Golden Dome will be fielded in phases, prioritising defense where the threat is greatest,' he noted. He emphasized that the completed system would defend against 'cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear.' The scale of the undertaking suggests a sweeping overhaul of U.S. air and missile defense architecture. Yet officials say some core systems are already in place.
Trump's vision draws direct comparisons to Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, mocked at the time as 'Star Wars.' Reagan once asked, 'What if free people could live secure in the knowledge that their security did not rest upon the threat of instant US retaliation?' Like Reagan, Trump is betting that space-based technology can fundamentally change the equation of nuclear deterrence. In both cases, critics questioned feasibility, cost, and strategic wisdom. But Trump's aggressive timeline and technological optimism signal a new chapter in the effort to build a comprehensive shield.
Despite some skepticism, Montgomery believes the time is finally right. 'Reagan wanted to do it, but it was prohibitively expensive and the technology wasn't there yet,' he said. Now, Montgomery argues, advancements in sensors, satellites, and interceptors make such a system achievable. Yet there is concern that Trump might rush early deployments for political gain. Montgomery warned, 'He's going to want something to show that he did something right now. And he's got to withhold that... and think about the wisdom of a long-term solution.'
There is fierce debate about the program's costs. The Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that space-based components alone could reach $542 billion over 20 years. One critic, John Tierney, said, 'We've spent about $410 billion since Ronald Reagan's days on this thing.' His organization calculated that intercepting a single North Korean missile might require nearly 1,000 interceptors. Tierney added, 'It doesn't work, but I've got to tell my people I'm doing something.' These cost critiques highlight the challenge of balancing ambition with sustainability.
Some of the most established defense contractors - Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman - are said to be preparing proposals. Over 180 firms have expressed interest, according to Pentagon insiders. Trump has not confirmed whether any contracts have been awarded yet, but acknowledged that early components may come from existing production lines. On April 30, the Department of Defense hosted a contractor event in Huntsville, Alabama. It served as a critical step toward launching the program's industrial base.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has been named as a possible frontrunner to launch the satellites needed for the Golden Dome's sensor network. Musk denied direct involvement, tweeting, 'SpaceX has not tried to bid for any contract in this regard.' However, he added, 'If the President asks us to help in this regard, we will do so.' Analysts believe that even if Musk avoids managing the system, SpaceX may still play a key logistical role in satellite deployment. Montgomery said, 'Is he going to launch most of the satellites? Yes, but that's about it.'
The Pentagon is evaluating three deployment tiers - medium, high, and 'extra high' - based on cost and the number of satellites and interceptors used. One proposal involves building a constellation of up to 1,200 satellites: 400 for surveillance and 200 for missile interception. Some would even target missiles at their launch sites, using geosynchronous positioning above adversarial territories. Trump's order demands 'capabilities to defeat salvoes prior to launch.' The goal is not just defense - but a strategic advantage in the next era of global conflict.