Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced a US$175 billion plan Tuesday to construct the Golden Dome missile defense shield, including space-based interceptors, before the end of his term, as Washington seeks to neutralize evolving threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the announcement followed the president's executive order in January to build an "Iron Dome for America," addressing the growing threat of attacks by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, along with other advanced aerial threats. The order also emphasizes improving theater missile defense for forward-deployed U.S. troops and allied territories, and accelerating the provision of U.S. missile defense capabilities to allies and partners.
"This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defense capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we will have it done in about three years," Trump stated at the White House, accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He further added that the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles regardless of their launch origin, including space.
The project, totaling $175 billion, is highlighted by the president as a crucial component for American security. Trump announced the selection of an architecture for the system that will deploy next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors, mentioning Canada's interest in participating.
The Golden Dome's concept draws inspiration from Israel's Iron Dome system, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells. In contrast, the Golden Dome aims to protect the continental United States, its forward-deployed troops, and allies from comprehensive missile threats.
In a separate statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the Golden Dome plan as a historic investment in American security. He emphasized the Department of Defense's commitment to maintaining a strong deterrent and ensuring that the Golden Dome enhances the nation's defense capabilities without detracting from its ability to deter strategic attacks.
The initiative echoes former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's 1980s-era Strategic Defense Initiative, which also aimed to counter nuclear ballistic missile threats through space-based assets but faced technical and budgetary challenges.