Overview

• President Donald Trump announced the finalized design for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense shield, targeting full operational readiness within three years.
• The system will combine land, sea, and space-based technologies to intercept missiles at all stages of flight, including hypersonic and space-launched threats.
• General Michael Guetlein of the U.S. Space Force has been appointed to oversee the project, which has an initial $25 billion funding request in Congress.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates the program's space-based components could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years, exceeding the $175 billion overall projection.
• While Canada has expressed interest in participating, Russia and China have criticized the plan as destabilizing and warned of the risks of weaponizing space.