Trump Estimates Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield at $175 Billion

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the launch of an ambitious missile defense project called the Golden Dome and shared additional details about the initiative.

He made the announcement during his speech at the White House.

Trump emphasized that the project is estimated to cost $175 billion, with initial funding of $25 billion allocated through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Conceptually, the system will feature a multi-layered missile defense, combining ground-based and space-based components such as satellite sensors, interceptors, and laser technologies.

Additionally, the project includes the deployment of interceptors in space, allowing threats to be neutralized in the early stages of their flight.

Alongside the ambitious implementation plans, Trump also set ambitious timelines. The system is expected to be fully operational within the next three years, by the end of Trump’s presidential term.

General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force, will be responsible for overseeing the project’s implementation.

According to Trump, the Golden Dome system will be capable of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world or from space, and he claimed that its effectiveness is close to 100%.

It is worth noting that, according to Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, around 950 interceptors placed in orbit would be required to successfully neutralize a single intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Department of Defense plans to hold two industry engagement events in Huntsville, Alabama. These meetings will help determine what can realistically be achieved in the next two to four years.

The use of existing systems is also being considered as part of the program.

It was recently revealed that Elon Musk’s SpaceX is teaming up with Anduril and Palantir to bid for a part of the project.