Trump wants to invest a total of 175 billion dollars, equivalent to around 1,700 billion kronor, in an air defense system to protect the USA from incoming projectiles and drones. Initially, the president has requested 25 billion dollars in a larger budget proposal being processed in Congress.
The plan is for the system to be fully operational by the end of Trump's term, in the beginning of 2029.
I promised the American people that I would build a groundbreaking missile defense shield, says Trump at a press conference in the Oval Office.
Today, I am pleased to announce that we have officially chosen the architecture for this state-of-the-art system.
Israeli Inspiration
The inspiration is drawn from Israel's so-called "Iron Dome" which has protected the country's cities from rockets and other short-range projectiles since 2011. The USA's defense is primarily intended for more long-range threats – ballistic missiles from countries like North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia.
The fully developed golden dome will be able to intercept even if they are launched from the other side of the world, and even if they are launched from space, says Trump.
The vision is a ground- and space-based weapon system that will have the capability to detect and stop threats in four stages: before launch, in an early stage, halfway in the air, and before impact.
billion
Congress's budget office estimated earlier this month that just the space-based part, admittedly the most expensive, can cost up to 542 billion dollars over 20 years.
If the system becomes a reality, it will be the first time the USA places weapons in space.
The golden dome is still only in the concept stage, and the Pentagon has not yet determined what capacity the system will actually have. The USA already has advanced air defense systems and satellites that can detect threats.
