Trump's "Golden Dome": Ambitious nationwide missile shield proposal
In the coming days, the Pentagon will likely present plans for building the "Golden Dome" to Donald Trump. This project, which is intended to resemble the Israeli "Iron Dome" missile defense system but operate on a much larger scale to cover the entire United States, is already raising numerous questions.
On January 27, 2025, exactly one week after taking office for the second time, the U.S. President assigned the Department of Defense the task of creating a plan to defend against various aerial threats, The Eurasian Times notes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team were given 60 days to prepare a proposal for the so-called "Golden Dome," or more precisely, its "reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements and an implementation plan."
The "Golden Dome" - Trump's idea for defending the U.S
According to Trump, the country needs an "impenetrable dome" that will provide absolute protection against air threats, including ballistic missiles, drones, cruise missiles, and even hypersonic attacks. The President claims that with rising threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, the current U.S. defense systems are insufficient. He stated in a speech that US needs to build the American Golden Dome that will protect our cities and citizens.
This idea is not entirely new. Donald Trump mentioned it during his first term, but now, with his return to the presidency and escalating geopolitical tensions, the topic has resurfaced with renewed focus. The "Golden Dome" aims to showcase the strength of the USA and bring recognition to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
This project, at least rhetorically, is supposedly designed to cover the entire country—from coast to coast. Trump has demanded that the system be based on the latest technologies, such as laser weapons, kinetic systems, and integrated long-range radars that work in real-time with American spy satellites. There is also the potential to integrate with existing missile defense systems like THAAD, Patriot PAC-3, or GMD, but more coordinated and automated.
The Eurasian Times reports that the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) considered various timelines for the "Golden Dome" project. The earliest plan suggests launching it on December 31, 2026, with subsequent stages targeted for completion by 2030 and beyond. The Pentagon has received over 360 summaries of ideas, both classified and unclassified, for planning and implementing the system. Department specialists are analyzing these to help develop a feasible project.
The MDA is set to meet with defense industry leaders in Alabama, where discussions on the possibilities of U.S. air defense will take place from April 30 to May 2. Participants will include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX.N (formerly Raytheon), and SpaceX. "[They] are expected to submit proposals outlining technological approaches and deployment strategies for space-based interceptor systems, sensors or control systems," Reuters reports.
However, Trump's idea has met with significant skepticism. Defense experts point out that such a project would be not only extremely costly but also technologically challenging. While the Iron Dome works effectively for the limited territory of Israel, creating a system that protects an area much larger is a logistical and financial challenge. It's estimated that building such a system could consume trillions of dollars and still not guarantee 100% effectiveness.
For example, William Hartung, a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, stated: "The system [Golden Dome] borrows part of its name from — Israel's Iron Dome system — is only designed to defend against short to medium-range missiles. It would be of no use against an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile." And, according to Donald Trump's expectations, the "Golden Dome" is supposed to protect against them as well.
Joseph Cirincione, retired president of the Ploughshares Fund and former Congressional staffer, shared a similar view. "While we can intercept short-range missiles such as those used in the Middle East or Ukraine, there is zero chance we can intercept long-range missiles that span the oceans. We have spent over $400 billion since 1983 on nothing. Future expenditures will just be throwing money down a rat hole. This is the mother of all scandals," he argues.
On the other hand, supporters of the "Golden Dome" project emphasize its potential to significantly strengthen the United States' defense capabilities. General Michael Guetlein from the U.S. Space Force compared the scale of this effort to the Manhattan Project, noting that it requires the involvement of the entire government and national determination.
The defense industry also sees the "Golden Dome" as an opportunity for development, particularly in advanced technologies. Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, highlighted that his company is analyzing various solutions, including command and control networks and Sentinel A4 radars, which could support President Trump's initiative.
However, even among supporters of the project, there are cautious voices. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery pointed out that creating an effective missile defense system could take 7-10 years and might initially focus on protecting key federal facilities and major cities. This suggests that at least initially, the "Golden Dome" would not offer nationwide protection from coast to coast.
