United States President Donald Trump has revealed new details and initial funding for his “Golden Dome” missile defence system, a multi-layered shield designed to protect the nation from missile threats originating from land, sea, and space.
Just days after returning to the White House in January, Trump unveiled his intentions for the system, aimed at countering “next-generation” aerial threats to the US, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from geopolitical rival China, which accused Washington of undermining global stability and fuelling an arms race.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump announced an initial allocation of $25 billion for the project, which he estimates could ultimately cost around $175 billion and be operational within three years.
Trump said the system would consist of “next-generation” technologies across land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors.
“During my campaign, I promised the American people a cutting-edge missile defence shield. Today, I am proud to announce that we have officially selected the architecture for this state-of-the-art system,” Trump stated.
Trump added that the system would be “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space”.
He explained that once fully deployed, the Golden Dome would be capable of intercepting missiles launched from anywhere in the world, including those fired from space. “This is crucial for the survival and success of our country,” he added.
US Space Force General Michael Guetlein will oversee the project, with Canada expressing interest in participating to secure similar protection.
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The system aims to integrate next-generation technologies, including space-based sensors and interceptors, to defend against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones, whether conventional or nuclear.
Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth emphasised the shield’s role in protecting
the homeland from a wide range of missile threats.
However, China condemned the initiative, asserting that it threatens international security and destabilises the global strategic balance.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning criticised the US for prioritising its own security at the expense of others and warned that the plan risks turning space into a battlefield and escalating an arms race.
The Golden Dome concept draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, which has successfully intercepted thousands of short-range rockets since 2011. However, the US system is far more expansive, designed to counter sophisticated ballistic and hypersonic missiles over a territory vastly larger than Israel’s. These including hypersonic weapons able to move faster than the speed of sound and fractional orbital bombardment systems – also called Fobs – that could deliver warheads from space.
“Israel’s missile defence challenge is a lot easier than one in the United States,” Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow at London-based Chatham House, told the New York Times. “The geography is much smaller and the angles and directions and the types of missiles are more limited.”
The 2022 US Missile Defence Review highlighted growing threats from China and Russia, both of which are advancing missile technologies. The review also noted the increasing role of drones in modern warfare and the persistent missile threats from North Korea, Iran, and non-state actors.
In recent years, US defence systems have gained valuable experience countering missile and drone attacks, notably in Ukraine and in protecting Israel and naval vessels from Iranian and Huthi missile strikes.
Trump said on Tuesday that the programme would require an initial investment of $25bn, with a total cost of $175bn over time.
The Congressional Budget Office, however, has estimated that the government could ultimately spend more, up to $542bn over 20 years, on the space-based parts of the system alone.
Trump said Canada had asked to be a part of the system.
During a visit to Washington earlier this year, then-Canadian defence minister Bill Blair acknowledged that Canada was interested in participating in the dome project, arguing that it “makes sense” and was in the country’s “national interest”.
The many aspects of the system will fall under one centralised command, US defence officials have said. Space Force General Michael Guetlein will oversee the project.