President Trump announced the selection of an architectural design for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system to safeguard the U.S. from foreign threats, with an initial $25 billion earmarked for construction in the upcoming budget package.
The big picture: The total cost of the project is estimated to be around $175 billion, with potential for cost escalation. President Trump aims for the system to be fully operational by the end of his term in January 2029, utilizing state-of-the-art technology across land, sea, and space.
- The system is set to be built in various states, including Alaska, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana, involving American defense and technology firms that are yet to be determined. Canada has expressed interest in participating in the project.
Go deeper: The “Golden Dome” is projected to intercept missiles originating from different parts of the world and even those launched from space, providing enhanced defense capabilities for the U.S.
- President Trump advocated for a comprehensive new missile defense system, inspired by Israel’s defense systems, which led to military leaders supporting the concept.
- The Defense Intelligence Agency’s assessment highlighted expanding missile threats to the U.S. in the next decade, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and land attack cruise missiles from foreign actors like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- The assessment underscored the need for improved ballistic missile defense systems to counter evolving threats, with countries like Russia and China enhancing their missile capabilities by 2035.
- Israel’s Iron Dome, known for its air defense against shorter-range threats, served as a model for the proposed “Golden Dome,” albeit aiming to tackle a broader range of missile threats to the U.S. homeland.
