Donald Trump announces ‘Golden Dome' missile shield to intercept hypersonic & space-launched threats by end of his term
As part of his renewed focus on national security, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a design has been finalized for the ambitious 'Golden Dome' missile defence system. The system, intended to shield the United States from next-generation aerial threats, is expected to be operational by the end of Trump's term in office. The project was set in motion just days after his return to the White House in January.
The proposed system is aimed at tackling advanced threats such as ballistic and cruise missiles, and possibly missiles launched from space. With a preliminary funding of $25 billion approved through a budget bill, Trump has described the initiative as vital to protect the country from what the White House has called 'the most catastrophic threat' facing the US today.
Technology across land, sea, and space
President Trump explained that the Golden Dome would involve next-generation technologies spread across land, sea, and space. He stated that the system will use both space-based sensors and interceptors. 'It will even be capable of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space,' he said from the Oval Office.
Drawing inspiration from Israel's Iron Dome system, which has been used since 2011 to intercept short-range threats, the Golden Dome will be significantly larger and designed to address a broader range of attacks. This includes new-age hypersonic weapons and systems like FOBS (Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems), which can deliver warheads from space.
Costs and capability challenges
Though Trump has projected an overall cost of $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office warns the real figure could exceed $542 billion over two decades, especially for space-based components. The expansive geography of the US and the variety of threat directions present significant challenges that are not present in countries like Israel. Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, noted that the US faces a 'much more complex' missile defence problem due to its size and threat landscape.
Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, told the BBC that the Golden Dome would likely use thousands of satellites to detect missile launches and then intercept them using space-based weaponry. However, he added that while the military may treat the plan seriously, completing such a system within Trump's term would be difficult. The high costs would also heavily impact the rest of the defence budget.
International involvement and command structure
Trump confirmed that Canada had expressed interest in joining the initiative. During a visit to Washington earlier this year, then-Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said it was 'in the national interest' for Canada to participate in the project.
Oversight for the entire system will fall under a single command structure. US defence officials have appointed Space Force General Michael Guetlein to oversee the development and coordination of the project.Trump's ambitious missile shield may reshape defence planning, but cost and complexity remain major hurdles to timely delivery.
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