U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled fresh details and initial funding for a massive new missile defense initiative called the “Golden Dome”, prompting sharp criticism from geopolitical rivals, especially China, which accused Washington of destabilizing the global security balance.
Speaking from the White House on Tuesday, Trump revealed that $25 billion has already been allocated for the project, with the full cost expected to reach around $175 billion. He projected that the system would be operational within three years.
“In the campaign I promised the American people I would build a cutting-edge missile defense shield,” Trump said.
“Today I am pleased to announce we have officially selected architecture for this state-of-the-art system.”
He went on to describe the scope of the system: “Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space,” adding, “This is very important for the success and even survival of our country.”
Trump confirmed that US Space Force General Michael Guetlein would lead the initiative. He also noted that Canada had expressed interest in joining the project, stating, “They want to have protection also.”
While Trump placed the projected cost at $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has previously estimated that space-based interceptors capable of defending against a limited number of ICBMs could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over two decades. The Golden Dome, however, appears to have broader ambitions.
According to Trump, the system “will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors.”
Standing beside him, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth elaborated on its goals, “The system is aimed at protecting the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones, whether they’re conventional or nuclear.”
Global Reaction: China and Russia Push Back
The project’s name draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, which has successfully intercepted thousands of short-range rockets since its deployment in 2011. However, experts point out that the missile threats facing the U.S.—including hypersonic weapons and long-range ballistic missiles—are far more complex.
In its 2022 Missile Defense Review, the Pentagon cited China and Russia as growing threats. Beijing has been rapidly closing the gap in ballistic and hypersonic missile capabilities, while Moscow is investing heavily in modernizing its ICBM systems and developing precision-strike weapons.
The report also emphasized the rising danger from drones, especially in light of their effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict, as well as potential threats from North Korea, Iran, and non-state actors.
On Wednesday, China expressed “serious concern” about the Golden Dome initiative.
“The United States puts its own interests first and is obsessed with seeking its own absolute security, which violates the principle that no country’s security should come at the expense of others,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing.
She added, “(The plan) heightens the risk of space becoming a battlefield, fuels an arms race, and undermines international security.”
Earlier this month, China and Russia jointly condemned the proposal as “deeply destabilizing.” A Kremlin statement from a bilateral meeting noted the system.
“explicitly provides for a significant strengthening of the arsenal for conducting combat operations in space.”
U.S. Missile Defense Experience
Despite the criticism, the U.S. has gained valuable experience in real-world missile defense over recent years. In Ukraine, American systems have helped intercept advanced Russian missiles. Meanwhile, U.S. warships and aircraft played a key role in defending Israel from Iranian missile and drone barrages in 2024 and have shot down weapons launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
As Washington moves forward with the Golden Dome project, it will have to navigate not only technical and financial hurdles but also rising global tensions over the militarization of space and the balance of strategic power.
