Latest news with #nuclearSecurity
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
US ‘Golden Dome' risks nuclear war in outer space, North Korea says
North Korea has slammed US President Donald Trump 's 'Golden Dome' missile shield plan as a 'very dangerous' threat that aims to weaponise space, state media reported on Tuesday. Pyongyang's foreign ministry has issued a memorandum calling the system 'a very dangerous 'threatening initiative' aimed at threatening the strategic security of the nuclear weapons states,' the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Trump announced new details and initial funding for the missile shield system last week, calling it 'very important for the success and even survival of our country'. The initiative faces significant technical and political challenges, according to analysts, and could come at a hefty price tag. Projectiles launched by Israel's Iron Dome system intercept rockets fired from Gaza in October 2023. Trump's 'Golden Dome' plan gets its name from Israel's air-defence system. Photo: AP The memorandum by nuclear-armed North Korea accused the United States of being 'hell-bent on the moves to militarise outer space', KCNA said. 'The US plan for building a new missile defence system is the root cause of sparking off global nuclear and space arms race by stimulating the security concerns of nuclear weapons states and turning the outer space into a potential nuclear war field,' it added.
Fox News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system revives Reagan's nuclear shield dream
On May 20, President Donald Trump launched the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. I was in college when President Ronald Reagan launched the Strategic Defense Initiative—initially mocked by its opponents as "Star Wars." Trump named Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein as the Golden Dome project's leader, a tell that the system will be primarily space-based. Technology in two areas has altered the equation for missile defense, likely making defending against nuclear missiles—even hypersonic ones, less expensive than building the offensive nuclear weapons. This was not the case when Reagan announced SDI in 1983. The Great Communicator said then that, "What if free people could live secure in the knowledge that their security did not rest upon the threat of instant U.S. retaliation to deter a Soviet attack, that we could intercept and destroy strategic ballistic missiles before they reached our own soil or that of our allies? … this is a formidable, technical task … will take years, probably decades of effort on many fronts... But isn't it worth every investment necessary to free the world from the threat of nuclear war? We know it is." The threat of nuclear war that Reagan was worried about and thought immoral, was that of the doctrine of mutually assured destruction, or MAD. MAD held that a nuclear balance of terror could keep the peace—that as long as nuclear rivals knew that, even if they struck first, the other side could still inflict massive damage in return. Now, 42 years later, the cost to launch objects into low earth orbit has gone from about $53,000 per pound to $3,344 per pound for SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and $147 per pound for Starship. This is a reduction in the cost to orbit of 360-fold with Elon Musk shooting for $22 per pound ($10 per kilogram)—a reduction in the cost of putting defensive systems into space of 2,400 times since the mid-1980s. This makes it far more affordable to loft a missile defense system into orbit. On the electronics front, the advancements are even more impressive. Computing power has surged over 40 years, with costs of processing power dropping by over 37 million times from 1985 to 2025, enabling real-time tracking of missiles aimed at the homeland. With lighter sensors and computers, modern interceptor missile warheads can weigh 4-10 pounds, compared to 22 pounds in 1985. Space-based sensor systems can be similarly lighter and far more capable. This revolution in the cost to orbit and the cost of computing power has likely hit an inflection point where it may be less expensive to build a missile defense shield than to build offensive nuclear weapons. The U.S. builds a new ICBM for about $162 million, while a modern missile interceptor, at 110 pounds, might cost $12,000 to launch into orbit and $1 million to manufacture. Deploying 1,000 interceptors could cost $1 billion (many interceptors are needed in orbit to counter any given launch), versus $16.2 billion for 100 ICBMs, suggesting defense could be cheaper, especially with ongoing technological improvements. Trump's Golden Dome: A modern vision President Trump's Golden Dome project, on the other hand, is a $175 billion missile defense system designed to protect the U.S. from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, including those launched from space. Inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, which has proven effective against short-range rockets, the Golden Dome aims to shield the entire U.S., a continent-spanning nation 450 times larger, from advanced threats. As envisioned, the system includes space-based interceptors, sensors, and satellites. Trump wants to have the system fully operational by 2029, integrating next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space. Given the 360-fold reduction in space launch costs (and likely 1,000-fold), and the massive increase in electronic capacity, Trump's Golden Dome could realize Reagan's SDI dreams. Unsurprisingly, China attacked the missile defense initiative less than 24 hours later, parroting the former Soviet Union's response to SDI. More importantly, the Department of Defense will be capable of protecting the homeland from a devastating nuclear attack—without automatically resorting to a massive nuclear counterstrike that could kill and wound 100 million people or more.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trump's $175B 'Golden Dome' aims to counter threats from China, Russia and North Korea
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.
