Trump's 'Golden Dome': Ambitious defence plan meets skepticism
In the coming days, the Pentagon is expected to present plans for constructing the "Golden Dome" to Donald Trump. The project, which is intended to resemble the Israeli "Iron Dome" missile defence system but on a much larger scale to cover the entire United States, is already prompting numerous questions.
On 27th January 2025, exactly one week after assuming office for the second time, the US President directed the Department of Defense to devise a plan to safeguard the US against various aerial threats, The Eurasian Times reports. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team were allocated 60 days to draft the project for the so-called "Golden Dome," specifically its "reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements and an implementation plan."
The "Golden Dome" - Trump's vision for US defence
According to Trump, the country requires an "impenetrable dome" that will offer complete protection against airborne threats, including ballistic missiles, drones, cruise missiles, and even hypersonic attacks. The President argues that amid rising threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, the current US defence systems are inadequate. He stated in a speech that US needs to build the American Golden Dome that will protect our cities and citizens.
It is worth noting that this idea is not entirely new. Donald Trump mentioned it during his first term, but now, in light of his return to the presidency and increasing geopolitical tensions, the subject has resurfaced with renewed vigour. The "Golden Dome" seeks to emphasise the power of the USA and bolster the reputation of the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
This project, at least rhetorically, is intended to span the entire country—from coast to coast. Trump has insisted that the system be based on the latest technologies, such as laser weapons, kinetic systems, and integrated long-range radars that operate in real-time with American spy satellites. There is also potential for integration with existing missile defence systems, such as THAAD, Patriot PAC-3, or GMD, but in a much more coordinated and automated format.
The Eurasian Times notes that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) of the United States considered varying timelines for the "Golden Dome" project. The earliest proposal suggests launching it on 31st December 2026, with subsequent phases to be completed by 2030 and beyond. The Pentagon has received over 360 classified and unclassified summaries of ideas for planning and implementing the system, which are currently being analysed by department specialists to aid in developing a feasible project.
The service also reports that the MDA is scheduled to meet with defence industry leaders in Alabama, where discussions on the potential of US air defence will take place from 30th April to 2nd May. Among those participating will be 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.
Trump's vision, however, has encountered a significant wave of scepticism. Defence experts point out that such a project would be not only incredibly costly but also difficult to achieve from a technological standpoint. While the Iron Dome is effective over Israel's limited territory, creating a system that protects an area many times larger poses logistical and financial challenges. It is estimated that building such a system could cost trillions of dollars and still not ensure 100% effectiveness.
For instance, William Hartung, a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, remarked: "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." According to Donald Trump's expectations, the "Golden Dome" is supposed to defend against these as well.
Joseph Cirincione, retired president of the Ploughshares Fund and former Congressional staffer, shared a similar perspective. "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 stated.
On the other hand, supporters of the "Golden Dome" project highlight its potential to significantly enhance the United States' defence capabilities. General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force compared the scale of this undertaking to the Manhattan Project (which aimed to create the atomic bomb), noting that it requires the involvement of the entire government and national determination.
The defence industry also sees the "Golden Dome" as an opportunity for development—in this case, of advanced technologies. Frank St. John, the Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, mentioned that his company is analysing 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 voices of caution. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery pointed out that creating an effective missile defence system could take 7-10 years and initially focus on protecting key federal facilities and major cities. This suggests that, at least initially, the "Golden Dome" would not be a system protecting the USA from coast to coast.
