Trump unveils new space missile defence project
Donald Trump has unveiled the "Golden Dome" project, a new missile defence shield featuring sensors and missiles located in space. The system is estimated to cost $175 billion (£130 billion) and is forecasted to be ready before the end of his term.
What do you need to know?
- What did Donald Trump announce? The US President 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 is estimated to cost $175 billion (£130 billion), with $25 billion (£18.6 billion) to be spent in the current year.
- When will the project be completed? Trump promised that construction would be completed before the end of his term.
What are the details of the "Golden Dome" project?
During a ceremony at the White House, Donald Trump announced the selection of the architecture for the new missile defence shield, which is to be deployed on land, at sea, and in space.
He stated that this is meant to fulfil Ronald Reagan's original vision—then called "Star Wars"—which faltered due to a lack of appropriate technology.
Is the project realistic?
Although Trump assures nearly 100 per cent effectiveness of the system, not everyone is convinced of its feasibility.
Senator Tim Sheehy believes the cost might reach trillions of pounds, and General Glen VanHerck estimates the implementation time at 5 to 10 years.
Although no detailed plan of the shield was presented, Trump, along with the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, and the appointed head of the project, Space Force General Michael Guetlein, stated that the new shield, named "Golden Dome" by Trump, will be multilayered, based on open architecture, integrated with existing systems, and constructed by multiple corporations.
What are the international reactions?
When asked whether he discussed plans for deploying weapons in space with Vladimir Putin—according to US intelligence, Russia plans to place nuclear warheads in orbit—Trump denied it but added that he would do so at the right moment.
During the event, Trump also responded to the hope expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US will impose new sanctions on Russia, following the new EU package.
