Trump launches CAD 243 billion 'Golden Dome' missile defense
Donald Trump has unveiled the "Golden Dome" project, a new missile defence shield featuring sensors and missiles in space. The system is expected to cost CAD 243 billion and aims to be ready before the end of his term.
What do you need to know?
- What did Donald Trump announce? The President of the United States announced the "Golden Dome" project, a state-of-the-art missile defence shield to be deployed in space.
- How much will the project cost? The system's cost is estimated at CAD 243 billion, with CAD 35 billion earmarked for spending in the current year.
- When will the project be completed? Trump has promised that the construction will be finished before the end of his term.
What are the details of the "Golden Dome" project?
During a White House ceremony, Donald Trump announced the architectural plan for the new missile defence shield, which will be deployed on land, at sea, and in space.
He stated that this project aims to fulfil Ronald Reagan's original "Star Wars" concept, which was previously abandoned due to technological limitations.
Is the project realistic?
Although Trump assures of the system's near-perfect effectiveness, there are doubts about its feasibility.
Senator Tim Sheehy believes the cost could reach trillions of dollars, while Gen. Glen VanHerck estimates the completion time at 5-10 years.
Despite the absence of a detailed shield plan, Trump, along with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and General Michael Guetlein, who has been chosen to lead the project, stated that the new shield, named "Golden Dome" by Trump, will be multi-layered, based on an open architecture, integrated with existing systems, and constructed by numerous corporations.
What are the international reactions?
When asked if he discussed the plan to place armaments in space with Vladimir Putin - in light of US intelligence indicating Russia's intention to place nuclear warheads in orbit - Trump denied it but mentioned he would address it "at the appropriate time."
During the event, Trump also responded to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's hope that the USA would impose new sanctions on Russia, following the EU's latest package.
