Trump unveils $175 billion ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence plan to shield US from nuclear threats

US President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement about the Golden Dome missile defense shield, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 20, 2025, in Washington, DC.

US President Donald Trump has unveiled an audacious $175 billion plan to build a next-generation missile defence shield, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” promising it will be operational by the end of his current term. The initiative aims to protect the US—and potentially allies like Canada—from nuclear missile attacks, including those launched from space or at hypersonic speeds, the Financial Times reported.

Announced from the Oval Office and modelled symbolically after Israel’s Iron Dome, the Golden Dome will integrate a vast network of land-, sea-, and space-based systems. “Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world,” Trump declared, standing alongside US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Space Force General Michael Guetlein, who will lead the project.

A “Manhattan Project” for 21st-century warfare

Trump signed an executive order for the missile shield in the first week of his second term, calling it the most advanced defence initiative in US history. The project’s price tag begins with $25 billion allocated in the pending tax and budget bill to jump-start development. But independent analysts warn that the full cost could balloon far beyond the initial figure.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the final cost of a fully space-based interceptor system could reach as high as $542 billion over two decades.

Despite this, Trump said, “It’s amazing how easy this one is to fund.” He cited growing threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—outlined in a recent Defense Intelligence Agency report—as justification for fast-tracking the program.

The tech challenge: lasers, satellites, and the unknown

The centrepiece of the Golden Dome is a proposed constellation of satellites—some outfitted with lasers—that could track and destroy enemy missiles mid-flight. But much of the necessary technology, particularly space-based lasers, remains unproven or undeveloped.

“It’s like Reagan’s Star Wars, but this time we’ll make it real,” Trump said, referencing the 1980s Strategic Defense Initiative. “Ronald Reagan wanted it many years ago, but they didn’t have the technology.”

To develop the system, the administration is expected to draw heavily on both legacy defence contractors and Silicon Valley innovators. Trump highlighted the role of private industry: “We have things that nobody else can have,” he said. “A very big adversary told me ‘the most brilliant people in the world are Silicon Valley.’”

Companies like Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and newcomers like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Anduril, and Palantir are positioning themselves to win contracts under the initiative. Lockheed has already launched a webpage pledging its readiness for what it calls a “Manhattan Project-scale mission.”

Concerns over conflict of interest and oversight

While industry is gearing up, the Golden Dome project is already facing political scrutiny. Senator Elizabeth Warren and 41 other Democratic lawmakers have requested a formal investigation into the Pentagon’s contracting process. They’re particularly concerned about Elon Musk’s dual role—as both a federal official in the Trump administration and head of SpaceX, a likely contender for key contracts.

They’ve asked the Pentagon’s inspector general to probe whether Musk’s government position has influenced procurement decisions, potentially giving his companies an unfair advantage.

International interest and uncertain feasibility

Trump said Canada had already reached out with interest in joining the shield. “They want to be a part of it and have protection,” he said, adding that pricing discussions are underway.

But despite Trump’s confidence and the global stakes, experts remain sceptical about the feasibility of deploying such a system within three years. With core technologies still in development, the Golden Dome is likely to face both technical and political obstacles on its path to becoming operational.

Still, Trump is undeterred. “We’re going to build the most powerful shield the world has ever seen,” he said. Whether the Golden Dome becomes a revolutionary step in global defence—or another expensive, unrealised vision—remains to be seen.