What Is Golden Dome? 1st US Defence System To Be Deployed In Space
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US President Donald Trump announced a futuristic defence system for the US -- Golden Dome -- to be built at an estimated cost of $175 billion.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his plans for a $175 billion missile defence system – 'Golden Dome' – which will be the first United States weapon in space.
The cutting-edge weapon is expected to be operational by the end of his term at the White House, he said.
'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 the architecture for this state-of-the-art system," Trump said.
'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," he added.
What Is US Golden Dome?
The Golden Dome announced by the US will be a missile defence system that will be based on both on the ground and in space. It will be designed to detect, track and taken down missiles at different stages of their flight, which also includes destroying them before they launch or while they are still in the air.
Trump has described the futuristic system as 'very important for the success and even survival" of the US.
'It will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors," the President said.
According to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, the Golden Dome will integrate with the current defence systems and will act as a shield against 'the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear".
When Will Golden Dome Be Deployed?
The President said that the new system will be operational in nearly three years, around the time his office term ends. According to a Forbes report, the cost of the project will be spread out over a period of 20 years.
Countries Interested In Golden Dome
Golden Dome will be made for the protection of the United States from all kinds of adversaries, however, Trump has said that Canada, its neighbour on the northern border, has also expressed interest in joining the project, saying they 'want to have protection also."
Golden Dome: An Idea Stemming From Israel's Iron Dome?
Trump's idea for America's Golden Dome stems from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system that has proved handy in taking down thousands of short-range rockets, among other projectiles, launched by Hamas from Gaza since 2011.
A Missile Defence Review in 2022 flagged increasing threats from the US' adversaries, such as China and Russia.
Russia, China Oppose Trump's Plan
Earlier this month, Russia and China strongly criticised the Golden Dome project, calling it 'deeply destabilising" and warning that it could turn space into a 'battlefield."
In a statement released by the Kremlin after talks between the two countries, they said the system 'explicitly provides for a significant strengthening of the arsenal for conducting combat operations in space."
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First Published:
May 21, 2025, 09:26 IST
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