U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed plans to build a massive and advanced missile defense shield for the United States. The system, named the “Golden Dome”, is expected to cost around $175 billion and could be partly operational in just three years, according to Trump.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the dome would be capable of intercepting missiles from anywhere in the world, including those launched from space. The ambitious project has drawn comparisons to Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” program, which was heavily criticized and eventually failed due to high costs and unrealistic goals.
“We Will Protect the Homeland,” Trump Says
Standing alongside Trump during the announcement was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who assured that today’s technology now makes such a defense system possible.
“The technology wasn’t there before. Now it is,” Hegseth said. “This will defend against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and even drones.”
Also present was Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Pentagon’s Vice Chief of Space Operations, who will lead the development of the project.
What Will the Golden Dome Do?
Trump said the Golden Dome will work in coordination with existing U.S. defense systems. He added:
“We’ll have it done in about three years. It will protect against threats from across the globe—even from space.”
The announcement follows Trump’s increasing support for such a system after watching Israel’s Iron Dome defend against drone and missile attacks from Iran in 2024. That event played a major role in pushing the idea of a U.S. version of the system.
Critics Question the Need and Cost
While the idea has excited supporters, especially at Trump’s campaign rallies, military officials and critics have raised concerns:
- The U.S. is not under frequent missile attack, unlike Israel.
- The country already has existing missile defense systems.
- A full-scale shield may divert funding from other national priorities.
In fact, the Air Force is currently investing billions to replace 1970s-era intercontinental ballistic missiles. Experts also question whether the Golden Dome will protect only major cities or the entire U.S. territory, which could significantly affect its cost and timeline.
How Much Will It Really Cost?
A report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) earlier this month estimated that building a full network of space-based interceptors could cost anywhere from $161 billion to $542 billion over the next 20 years.
While modern technology and cheaper launch services have lowered some costs, the threats from countries like North Korea, China, and Russia—especially their development of hypersonic and space-based weapons—mean any effective system would still be expensive and complex.
Golden Dome vs. Iron Dome
Israel’s Iron Dome is designed to intercept short- and medium-range missiles, protecting the country from regular attacks. It has proven to be effective, including during an attack in April 2024 when Iran launched 300 missiles and drones at Israel.
The U.S. currently uses the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, which is capable of intercepting a few long-range missiles, like those from North Korea. But experts say it’s not designed to handle a large-scale attack or deal with advanced missile technologies like hypersonic weapons.
Trump: “We Will Build the Greatest Dome of All”
Trump’s announcement continues a promise he made during his 2024 campaign, where he said:
“We will build a great Iron Dome over our country… the greatest dome of them all.”
In January 2025, he signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to begin work on the system. Since then, officials say the Pentagon has gathered top talent to explore technologies like remote sensing, image processing, and drone-based defense systems.