What Is Trump’s $175-Billion ‘Golden Dome’ China Issued a Warning About?
President Trump has unveiled plans for a $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system, drawing both domestic enthusiasm and international criticism. Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, the multi-layered system would use land, sea, and space-based technologies—including hundreds of satellites—to intercept missile threats. SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril are leading contenders for contracts, though the Pentagon hasn’t finalized requirements. Trump aims for completion by 2029, despite estimates projecting costs could exceed $500 billion.
China has condemned the project as a violation of the Outer Space Treaty, warning it could trigger an arms race. While U.S. officials cite growing threats from adversaries like China and Russia, critics argue the system destabilizes global security. With congressional funding still pending and technical challenges unresolved, the Golden Dome faces significant hurdles before becoming operational.
