Trump’s US$175 Billion “Golden Dome” Missile Shield Plan Starts

The US$175-billion “Golden Dome,” set to become the signature military initiative of Donald Trump’s second term, is beginning to take shape as the president announced the selection of a design for the advanced missile defense shield. The project is part of a broader strategic program aimed at protecting the nation from “perceived threats” posed by China and Russia.

First unveiled by Trump in January at the start of his second term, the Golden Dome draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome. It envisions a vast network of hundreds of satellites designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming missile threats. However, one of the main challenges is the scale of coverage—the Golden Dome would need to span an area 450 times larger than that covered by the Israeli system.

US Space Force General Michael Guetlein has been appointed as the lead program manager for the initiative. While operations are expected to begin by the end of Trump’s term, defense analysts estimate it will take at least a decade to fully complete.

During a White House press conference on May 20, President Trump also revealed that Canada is in discussions to participate in the initiative. Prime Minister Mark Carney is consulting with cabinet members on the economic and security implications of joining the defense program.

“We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,” said Trump, referencing the former president’s Strategic Defense Initiative—popularly known as “Star Wars”—which aimed to provide similar protection but was never fully realized.

While the initial cost is estimated at US$175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office projects total expenditure could rise to US$831 billion over the next two decades. Republican lawmakers have proposed allocating US$25 billion to initiate the project, which would add approximately US$150 billion to the Pentagon’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

Nonetheless, funding remains uncertain, as it is currently tied to a reconciliation bill facing significant obstacles in Congress. Democratic lawmakers have expressed strong opposition, citing concerns that the Golden Dome could trigger a global arms race and escalate geopolitical tensions.

The initiative has also drawn criticism from China. Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the project, stating that the missile shield “carries a strong offensive nature” and could contribute to the militarization of space.

The Pentagon’s next phase involves procuring the missiles, systems, and sensors required for the Golden Dome. Several components will be sourced from existing production lines at defense contractors including L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corp.