Washington, D.C., May 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the launch of the “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative, a sweeping $175 billion program that will, for the first time, place American missile-intercepting weapons in space.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared his ambition for the system to be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which concludes in 2029. According to media reports, the proposed defense network will be capable of intercepting missile threats “even if they are launched from space.”
At a subsequent press conference at the White House, Trump confirmed that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would lead the program, which he described as the cornerstone of his administration’s military strategy. The Golden Dome, he said, would “protect our homeland” and noted that Canada had expressed interest in joining the initiative.
Originally commissioned by Trump in January, the Golden Dome seeks to develop a multilayered satellite-based defense shield. The system would utilize a constellation of surveillance satellites to detect, track, and potentially neutralize incoming missiles. A separate fleet of armed satellites is also envisioned to engage threats during their initial launch phase.
The initiative draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, but expands significantly upon it, introducing offensive and defensive capabilities in orbit. Golden Dome is projected to take years to fully implement and is expected to encounter both political and fiscal challenges, particularly in Congress.
Criticism has emerged from Democratic lawmakers who have raised questions about the procurement process and transparency. Concerns have also been voiced over the involvement of Trump ally Elon Musk’s SpaceX, along with defense technology firms Palantir and Anduril, which are seen as leading contenders for major contracts under the program.
Despite the controversy, Tuesday’s announcement formally begins the Pentagon’s process to evaluate, test, and procure the sophisticated sensors, interceptors, and space-based platforms required to operationalize the Golden Dome, potentially reshaping the landscape of missile defense and space warfare in the years ahead.
