President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious proposal for a nationwide missile defence system called the "Golden Dome," aiming to shield the United States from a wide array of missile threats, including ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles, as well as those launched from outer space. The plan, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome but vastly more complex due to the size and threat environment of the US, would integrate ground-based and space-based sensors and interceptors in a multilayered architecture. Trump has requested an initial $25 billion for the project, with government estimates placing the total cost at $175 billion, though independent assessments suggest the price could soar much higher.

The Golden Dome system is designed to intercept missiles at every stage of their trajectory, from launch to terminal descent, using next-generation technologies deployed across land, sea, and space. This would mark the first time the US deploys weapons in space, a move that has drawn criticism from international actors like China, who warn it could spark a new arms race and further militarise space. The project’s scope far exceeds Israel’s Iron Dome, which is optimised for short-range threats, whereas the Golden Dome must counter long-range and highly advanced missile systems developed by adversaries such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

Experts caution that the technical and logistical challenges of building such a system are immense. Integrating various capabilities into a unified command and control system is unprecedented at this scale, and no such system currently exists. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that just the space-based components could cost over $500 billion across two decades, with total expenses potentially consuming a significant portion of the US defence budget. Furthermore, the timeline set by Trump—to have the Golden Dome operational by the end of his term—has been widely criticised as unrealistic, with many analysts believing it would require decades to achieve even partial functionality.

Despite these hurdles, the Trump administration is pushing forward, framing the Golden Dome as a generational investment in national security. The initiative is expected to involve major US defence contractors and technology firms, with potential for international collaboration, particularly with Canada as an early partner. However, the debate continues over whether the Golden Dome is a feasible shield or a grand strategic bluff, given the vast resources, technological breakthroughs, and international ramifications required to see it through.