Trump unveils $175B "Golden Dome" space defense shield
Donald Trump has unveiled the "Golden Dome" project, a new missile defense shield featuring sensors and missiles in space. The system is estimated to cost $175 billion and is expected to be ready before the end of his term.
What do you need to know?
- What did Donald Trump announce? The U.S. President announced the "Golden Dome" project, a modern missile defense shield to be deployed in space.
- How much will the project cost? The system is estimated to cost $175 billion, with $25 billion to be spent in the current year.
- When will the project be completed? Trump promised that construction would be completed before the end of his term.
What are the details of the "Golden Dome" project?
During a ceremony at the White House, Donald Trump announced the architecture for the new missile defense shield, which is to be deployed on land, at sea, and in space.
He stated that this project is aimed at fulfilling Ronald Reagan's original vision—then called "Star Wars"—which was not realized due to the lack of appropriate technology at the time.
Is the project realistic?
Although Trump assures nearly 100-percent effectiveness of the system, not everyone is convinced of its feasibility.
Senator Tim Sheehy believes the cost might escalate into trillions of dollars, and Gen. Glen VanHerck estimates the implementation time could take 5-10 years.
While no detailed plan of the shield was presented, Trump, along with the Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and the appointed head of the project, Space Force General Michael Guetlein, stated that the new shield, named "Golden Dome" by Trump, will be multilayered, based on open architecture, integrated with existing systems, and built by multiple corporations.
What are the international reactions?
When asked if he discussed the deployment of weapons in space with Vladimir Putin—amid reports from U.S. intelligence that Russia plans to place nuclear warheads in orbit—Trump denied it but added that he would do so "at the appropriate time."
During the event, Trump also addressed the hope expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. will impose new sanctions on Russia, following the new EU package.
