Golden Dome: America's Trillion-Dollar Space Defense Plan

President Donald Trump's ambitious 'Golden Dome for America' missile defense program aims to deploy weapons in space and has an estimated cost of $1.2 trillion over 20 years, as analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office. Inspired partly by Israel's Iron Dome, the US system targets advanced threats.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Washington DC | Updated: 13-05-2026 03:20 IST | Created: 13-05-2026 03:20 IST
Golden Dome: America's Trillion-Dollar Space Defense Plan
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The Congressional Budget Office's analysis reveals that President Donald Trump's ambitious 'Golden Dome for America' missile defense program may cost $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years, significantly more than the initial $175 billion estimate. This futuristic defense system, aimed at deploying weapons in space, was ordered by Trump early in his presidency.

The system, inspired partly by Israel's 'Iron Dome,' is designed to counter advanced strategic threats with both ground- and space-based capabilities. However, comprehensive details from the US Defense Department remain scarce, complicating accurate long-term cost projections.

Despite previous cost approvals, critics, including Sen. Jeff Merkley, argue that the program prioritizes defense contractors' profits over taxpayer interests, questioning its affordability and necessity.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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