US President Donald Trump shortlisted a design for the futuristic ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system and said that it would be ready by the end of his term in office and named a Space Force general to lead the program, in order to neutralize threats from Russia and China.
Days after President Trump returned to the White House in January this year, he had unveiled his intentions for the missile defence system which, he believes, would counter “next generation” aerial threats against the US, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
While revealing an estimated cost of the program to be $175 billion, Trump named US Space Force General Michael Guetlein as the program manager who is viewed as the go to person for the president’s military planning.
President Trump announced the Golden Dome missile defense shield to protect the homeland from advanced missile threats.
Included in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, this project aims to ensure American security. Congress must pass the bill and send it to the President’s desk. pic.twitter.com/U0gwZ9DNnV
— The White House (@WhiteHouse)
During a White House press conference, Trump said “Golden Dome will protect our homeland,” adding that Canada has shown interest and said to be part of it. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said he and his ministers were discussing a new security and economic relationship with the US.
The Canadian PMO added “These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome.”
However, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern about the involvement of Trump’s advisor and billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has emerged as a frontrunner to develop key components of the system, alongside Palantir and Anduril.
The Golden Dome system is partly inspired by Israel’s land based Iron Dome, which Tel Aviv has used to intercept rockets and missiles since 2011. Trump on Tuesday said the system would consist of “next-generation” technologies across land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors.
