Overview

• President Donald Trump formally announced the architecture for the 'Golden Dome,' a $175 billion missile defense system integrating land, sea, and space-based technologies.
• The system is designed to intercept missiles at all four stages of flight—pre-launch, boost, mid-course, and terminal—but experts question whether the timeline and technical goals are achievable.
• Canada's participation is critical for Arctic coverage, but Ottawa has yet to commit, citing unresolved financial and operational details in ongoing discussions.
• China has criticized the project, claiming it destabilizes global security, while U.S. officials assert it is a necessary deterrent against evolving missile threats from adversaries like Russia and China.
• The Pentagon and U.S. Northern Command are still drafting requirements for the system, highlighting its early development stage despite the ambitious 2029 operational target.