US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced plans for a $175 billion missile defence system called the Golden Dome, which aims to protect the United States from threats posed by China and Russia.
Speaking from the White House, Trump revealed that he had selected a final design for the project and appointed US Space Force General Michael Guetlein as the head of the initiative.
“Golden Dome will protect our homeland,” Trump said from the Oval Office. He also stated that Canada had shown interest in participating in the program, although Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office did not comment on requests.
The Golden Dome is expected to rely on hundreds of satellites to detect, track, and possibly intercept incoming missiles. The system is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, though Trump’s plan is broader and includes both surveillance satellites and interceptor satellites to target enemy missiles shortly after launch. Trump ordered it in January.
“All of them will be knocked out of the air,” Trump said. “The success rate is very close to 100%.”
CHALLENGES OVER FUNDING AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Trump’s ambitious project with an estimated cost of $175 billion will take years to implement amid questions about political approval and funding. However, Trump said the project should be finished by January 2029, before the end of his term if re-elected.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns about the selection process for private companies involved in the project. Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is seen as a leading contender, along with Palantir and Anduril.
The Pentagon is now moving forward to test and eventually purchase the components of the Golden Dome, including missiles, sensors, and satellites. Several companies, including L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corp, were named as likely partners in the press conference.
Trump said states like Alaska, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana will benefit directly from the project. Many of the early components are expected to come from existing production lines.