US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that his administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defence system would be fully operational within three years, promising it will be completed before the end of his second term in 2029. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the system will integrate existing defence infrastructure with new technologies to defend the US from foreign missile threats, including those launched from space.
“This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defence capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we’ll have it done in about three years,” Trump said, as reported by The Hill.
He added that the project marks the fulfilment of his long-standing campaign promise to develop an advanced shield capable of intercepting missiles at every phase of flight.
“In the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack. And that’s what we’re doing today.”
Multi-layered defence drawing on space power
System to detect and intercept threats from launch to impact
The Golden Dome will include both ground-based and space-based elements. According to The Hill, the system is designed to counter threats at four key stages: pre-launch, initial boost, mid-course, and final impact. That means it will be capable of tracking, neutralising, and intercepting missiles as soon as they are launched—whether from land or space.
Planners at the Pentagon have been developing a range of options for the project. These range from medium to “extra high” in terms of cost and capability, depending on the number of satellites, sensors, and the inclusion of space-based interceptors. A US official involved in the planning, speaking on condition of anonymity, described ongoing debates about system complexity and procurement needs.
Trump has insisted that the technology is within reach.
“Once fully constructed, 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, and we will have the best system ever built,” he said.
Modelled on Israel’s Iron Dome but global in scope
All-American build, with international interest
Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, Trump said the US version would be significantly expanded to defend against long-range missile threats from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The entire system, he emphasised, would be manufactured within the United States.
Canada, Trump said, had also shown interest in joining the initiative. “We are open to working with them,” he added.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with Republican Senators Dan Sullivan, Jim Banks, and Kevin Cramer, stood beside Trump during the announcement. Behind them, posters depicted a golden shield covering the US with the words: “This is a Very Dangerous World.”
System to be led by top space official, with major budget uncertainties
Trump named General Michael Guetlein, the current Vice Chief of Space Operations, as the official in charge of the Golden Dome’s development. Guetlein will oversee the project's implementation, testing, and integration.
Congress is currently considering a $25 billion allocation to kick-start the programme under a Republican-backed reconciliation bill. But full funding remains uncertain. Though Trump estimated the system’s total cost at $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office warned the price could exceed $500 billion over two decades due to its complexity.
SpaceX concerns, internal divisions in Congress
Democrats have raised ethical concerns over the possible involvement of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, due to his advisory role in the Trump administration and potential conflicts of interest. Meanwhile, some moderate and conservative Republicans are also expressing hesitation, demanding changes to the bill before approving funds.
Trump listed Alaska, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana as states likely to contribute to the system, due to their defence and aerospace infrastructure. Major contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and L3Harris Technologies are potential contenders for key roles.
Echoes of Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ project
Reviving a decades-old Republican vision
Trump positioned the Golden Dome as the realisation of a plan first envisioned during the Reagan era. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan launched the Strategic Defense Initiative—often nicknamed “Star Wars”—which aimed to develop a space-based missile shield. That effort was eventually abandoned due to technological limitations.
“Ronald Reagan (40th US President) wanted it many years ago, but they didn’t have the technology. But it’s something we’re going to have. We’re going to have it at the highest level,” Trump said. “We will truly be completing the job President Reagan started 40 years ago.”
Trump claimed the system’s technology is “about as close to perfect as you can have”, even as some of its components remain untested.
Next steps involve testing and procurement
The Pentagon is expected to begin testing a variety of components, including interceptors, sensors, and satellites. Once validated, these technologies will be procured for the wider Golden Dome network. The plan includes hundreds of satellites to track and potentially neutralise missiles in flight.
“This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defence capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we’ll have it done in about three years,” Trump said, as reported by The Hill.
He added that the project marks the fulfilment of his long-standing campaign promise to develop an advanced shield capable of intercepting missiles at every phase of flight.
“In the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack. And that’s what we’re doing today.”
Multi-layered defence drawing on space power
System to detect and intercept threats from launch to impact
The Golden Dome will include both ground-based and space-based elements. According to The Hill, the system is designed to counter threats at four key stages: pre-launch, initial boost, mid-course, and final impact. That means it will be capable of tracking, neutralising, and intercepting missiles as soon as they are launched—whether from land or space.
Planners at the Pentagon have been developing a range of options for the project. These range from medium to “extra high” in terms of cost and capability, depending on the number of satellites, sensors, and the inclusion of space-based interceptors. A US official involved in the planning, speaking on condition of anonymity, described ongoing debates about system complexity and procurement needs.
Trump has insisted that the technology is within reach.
“Once fully constructed, 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, and we will have the best system ever built,” he said.
Modelled on Israel’s Iron Dome but global in scope
All-American build, with international interest
Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, Trump said the US version would be significantly expanded to defend against long-range missile threats from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The entire system, he emphasised, would be manufactured within the United States.
Canada, Trump said, had also shown interest in joining the initiative. “We are open to working with them,” he added.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with Republican Senators Dan Sullivan, Jim Banks, and Kevin Cramer, stood beside Trump during the announcement. Behind them, posters depicted a golden shield covering the US with the words: “This is a Very Dangerous World.”
System to be led by top space official, with major budget uncertainties
Trump named General Michael Guetlein, the current Vice Chief of Space Operations, as the official in charge of the Golden Dome’s development. Guetlein will oversee the project's implementation, testing, and integration.
Congress is currently considering a $25 billion allocation to kick-start the programme under a Republican-backed reconciliation bill. But full funding remains uncertain. Though Trump estimated the system’s total cost at $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office warned the price could exceed $500 billion over two decades due to its complexity.
SpaceX concerns, internal divisions in Congress
Democrats have raised ethical concerns over the possible involvement of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, due to his advisory role in the Trump administration and potential conflicts of interest. Meanwhile, some moderate and conservative Republicans are also expressing hesitation, demanding changes to the bill before approving funds.
Trump listed Alaska, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana as states likely to contribute to the system, due to their defence and aerospace infrastructure. Major contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and L3Harris Technologies are potential contenders for key roles.
Echoes of Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ project
Reviving a decades-old Republican vision
Trump positioned the Golden Dome as the realisation of a plan first envisioned during the Reagan era. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan launched the Strategic Defense Initiative—often nicknamed “Star Wars”—which aimed to develop a space-based missile shield. That effort was eventually abandoned due to technological limitations.
“Ronald Reagan (40th US President) wanted it many years ago, but they didn’t have the technology. But it’s something we’re going to have. We’re going to have it at the highest level,” Trump said. “We will truly be completing the job President Reagan started 40 years ago.”
Trump claimed the system’s technology is “about as close to perfect as you can have”, even as some of its components remain untested.
Next steps involve testing and procurement
The Pentagon is expected to begin testing a variety of components, including interceptors, sensors, and satellites. Once validated, these technologies will be procured for the wider Golden Dome network. The plan includes hundreds of satellites to track and potentially neutralise missiles in flight.
You may also like
Abhishek Bachchan's shocking revelation stunned actress who worked with him in two movies: 'He has never spoken about it'
India's Banu Mushtaq wins International Booker Prize; congratulatory messages pour in
When Kajol danced on top of a taxi on Marine Drive, photo viral
Lorraine Kelly fans share concern for TV host amid claims 'she's no longer ITV's grande dame'
'I played under Sir Alex at Man Utd and these were his rules after winning a trophy'
