What is Golden Dome? US announces plan for cutting-edge space shield with eye on Russia, China

Donald Trump (L); concept image created via Grok (R)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled plans for the Golden Dome—a $175 billion missile defence system that would for the first time place American weapons in space as part of a multilayered shield against nuclear and non-nuclear threats.

The space shield, expected to be ready in about three years, comes in response to longstanding warnings from the Pentagon that advanced missile systems developed by China and Russia require significantly upgraded countermeasures.

Why it matters:

The Golden Dome would represent the most ambitious overhaul of US missile defense since the Cold War, aiming to intercept missiles at every stage of flight — even before launch — through an integrated system spread across land, sea and space.

“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space,” Trump said at the White House.

The big picture

• The system draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, which has successfully intercepted thousands of short-range rockets since 2011.
• Trump’s plan, however, goes much further, targeting cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones and even space-based threats.
• He described the system as “very important for the success and even survival" of America.

What we know about the system

• Trump pegged the total cost at $175 billion, with $25 billion in initial funding requested via a tax bill currently moving through Congress.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates the space-based component alone could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years.
• Trump said the system would be operational by 2029, towards the end of his second term. Officials say limited capabilities may roll out earlier.
• “In the campaign I promised the American people I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield. Today I am pleased to announce we have officially selected architecture for this state-of-the-art system," Trump said.

Driving the plan

• The Golden Dome would be designed to counter emerging threats from countries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, as well as non-state actors.
• Trump has tapped Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations, to oversee the program.
• Canada has expressed interest in joining the initiative: “They want to have protection also,” Trump said.

The subtext

• Pentagon officials have been crafting “medium, high, and extra-high” versions of the plan, differing mainly in the number of satellites and space-based interceptors.
• The system is still in the conceptual stage, with the Pentagon and US Northern Command yet to finalize key performance requirements.

What’s next

• A rollout over two decades is likely, with most of the cost focused on space-based interceptors to destroy missiles early or mid-flight.
• These systems are unlike anything the US Space Force has ever handled.
• “They represent new and emerging requirements for missions that have never before been accomplished by military space organizations,” said Gen. Chance Saltzman, head of the US Space Force.The backlash
• Russia and China have denounced the Golden Dome as “deeply destabilizing,” warning it could militarize outer space.
• “It explicitly provides for a significant strengthening of the arsenal for conducting combat operations in space,” read a joint statement released by the Kremlin this month.